2016 Subaru Forester 2.0L Petrol · WJ66 WFL

The vehicle remains currently roadworthy, though the maintenance trend shows a slight shift toward reactive rather than proactive upkeep. The most recent test conducted in October 2025 at 40,693 miles resulted in several advisories regarding deteriorated registration plates and a rear tyre reaching the legal wear limit. While the vehicle passed without mechanical failures, the appearance of tyre-related advisories suggests the owner may only be addressing consumable items once they are flagged during the annual inspection process. The mileage profile is notably low for a ten-year-old vehicle, averaging approximately 4,000 miles per year. Data shows consistent low-interval usage over the five years, with only 3,682 miles covered between the October 2024 and October 2025 tests. This low mileage typically indicates less mechanical strain on the drivetrain and engine components, but it increases the risk of age-related degradation in rubber-based seals and bushings, which can dry out or crack over time regardless of the distance driven. A prospective buyer should insist on a close physical inspection of the front suspension geometry. The October 2022 test at 27,797 miles flagged worn lower suspension arm pins and bushes on both the nearside and offside fronts. While these did not result in a failure at that time, they are common points of wear on the Forester that can affect handling and cause uneven tyre wear. Check for play in the bushings during a test drive to ensure these components have not deteriorated since they were noted. The recurring deterioration of both front and rear registration plates across 2022, 2024, and 2025 indicates a lack of general cosmetic maintenance. While this is a minor issue, it reflects a pattern of ignoring non-mechanical defects until they persist. Given the low annual mileage, the buyer should also check for flat spots on the tyres and corrosion on the brake discs, which frequently occur on vehicles that sit for long periods between uses.