2019 Subaru Forester 2.0L Petrol · WU19 LBZ

The Subaru Forester presents a broadly stable maintenance picture through its most recent MOT on 27 February 2026 at 48,955 miles, where it passed with four minor advisories. These advisories centre on worn suspension bushes at the front lower arms and rear anti-roll bar, plus rear brake pads wearing thin. None of these defects resulted in excessive movement or dangerous failures, indicating the vehicle has remained roadworthy throughout its life. The trend is stable rather than resolving, as the same rear anti-roll bar bush wear has appeared in consecutive tests since 2024, suggesting a slow, predictable deterioration of rubber components rather than a sudden mechanical failure. The rear brake pad advisory in 2026 mirrors a similar advisory flagged in the March 2024 failure, which implies rear braking components require consistent monitoring. The mileage progression tells a coherent story. From 21,915 miles in March 2023 to 30,475 miles in March 2024, the vehicle covered roughly 8,560 miles in twelve months. The following year saw a jump to 39,543 miles by March 2025, an increase of about 9,068 miles, and the final recorded interval to February 2026 shows only 9,412 miles added over eleven months. This is consistent with typical annual use of around 7,000 to 9,000 miles for a vehicle of this age. There are no suspicious gaps or sudden odometer jumps that would raise mileage fraud concerns. The record is clean and well-documented, with no missing annual tests. Buyers should focus their physical inspection on the suspension bushes that have appeared repeatedly in the MOT history. The front lower arm rear bushes and rear anti-roll bar bushes have been flagged across multiple tests, meaning a thorough check for cracking, perishing, and play in these components is essential. While the advisories have not yet escalated to excessive movement, rubber deterioration on a seven-year-old vehicle can accelerate, particularly if the car has seen rough roads or prolonged standing. A pre-purchase inspection should include a shake test of the front suspension and a visual check of the rear anti-roll bar links and D-bushes. The rear brake pads wearing thin in the 2026 test, echoing the 2024 advisory, warrants a direct measurement of pad thickness and disc condition. Tyre condition has been a recurring minor theme, with perishing and edge wear noted on multiple occasions across different axles. This pattern suggests the previous owner may not have replaced tyres proactively, so a close inspection of the current tyres' age codes, sidewall condition, and tread depth is advisable. The 2024 failure for a non-working windscreen washer is a minor electrical or fluid delivery issue, but buyers should verify all washer jets function correctly, as this is a basic MOT requirement that could indicate neglect of simple maintenance.