2023 Subaru Solterra Touring EV AWD Electric · YC73 DMZ

The Solterra's first MOT test on 24 June 2026 was recorded as a pass, but it emerged with three advisories that together point to wear becoming visible at relatively modest mileage. Two of these relate directly to the front axle: the offside front inner brake disc was noted as worn, pitted or scored, and both front tyres showed distinct issues — the offside front had slight damage, cracking or perishing, while the nearside front outer was worn close to the legal limit and worn on the edge. With only this single test on file, it is too early to call a trend, but the fact that braking components and tyres are already drawing examiner attention at around 23,000 miles is a mechanical signal worth weighing. Annual mileage works out at roughly 7,800 miles per year, which sits within the typical band for a three-year-old EV of this type and suggests regular rather than intensive use. There are no long standing-off gaps in the testing timeline, no mileage jumps between recorded readings, and no anomalies suggesting clock irregularities or extended lay-up that would introduce additional concerns such as corrosion undertray issues or stale brake fluid contamination through non-use. The usage pattern is consistent and ordinary, meaning wear rates on consumables should also be predictable rather than accelerated. For a prospective buyer, the brake disc advisory should be the priority item to verify physically. On a test drive, listen for any grinding or scraping noise from the offside front corner under light braking, feel for pedal vibration or pulsation that would suggest the disc lip has grown, and check visually through the wheel for a deep, shiny wear band on the inner face of the disc and confirm pad material remains adequate. Given that electric vehicles rely heavily on regenerative braking, the friction brakes often wear slowly, so a pitted inner surface on a Solterra at this mileage may indicate sticking or seized caliper guide pins preventing even pad retraction, and a check that the offside caliper slides freely is worthwhile. Any uneven pad wear or a corroded caliper carrier should be factored into negotiation. The tyre advisories also warrant close inspection. Cracking or perishing on the offside front sidewall can be age- or environment-related rather than purely mileage-driven, so examine the sidewalls carefully for hairline cracks, particularly on the inner shoulder, and consider replacing both fronts as a matched pair if deterioration is visible. The nearside front wearing close to the limit on the outer edge points to a possible camber or tracking issue, so verify that the steering wheel is centred when driving straight, that the car does not pull to one side under gentle acceleration or braking, and that no uneven shoulder wear is present on the rear tyres either. Finally, it is worth listening for any clonks or knocking from the front suspension over speed humps and uneven roads, as any wear here would compound the brake and tyre concerns already flagged.