Unstoppable all-wheel-drive SUV built to last
Subaru's stalwart mid-size SUV has been sold continuously since 1997, building a loyal following among rural and outdoors-oriented UK buyers. Symmetrical all-wheel drive is standard on every model, giving the Forester genuine off-road ability that most crossover rivals cannot match. Exceptional reliability and owner satisfaction keep residuals strong.
We track 8 known issues across the Subaru Forester range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Subaru Forester? Enter the reg to see which of our 8 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
SG (1997–2002) — Engine options included the 2.0 naturally aspirated, 2.0 naturally aspirated, 2.0 naturally aspirated. We track 2 known issues on this generation, with 2 classified as significant. The most significant concern is Head gasket failure (£800–£1,500 to address).
SH (2002–2008) — Petrol options included the 2.0 naturally aspirated, 2.0 naturally aspirated, 2.5 naturally aspirated, 2.5 naturally aspirated, with 2.0 turbodiesel on the diesel side. Our database flags 7 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Suspension component corrosion (£200–£1,200 to address).
SJ (2008–2013) — Petrol options included the 2.0 naturally aspirated, 2.5 naturally aspirated, 2.5 naturally aspirated, with 2.0 turbodiesel on the diesel side. Our database flags 7 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Suspension component corrosion (£200–£1,200 to address).
SK (2013–2019) — Petrol options included the 2.0 naturally aspirated, 2.0 naturally aspirated, 2.5 naturally aspirated, with 2.0 turbodiesel on the diesel side. Our database flags 6 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Suspension component corrosion (£200–£1,200 to address).
Forester suspension components, particularly control arms and their mounting points, suffer from accelerated corrosion compared to other vehicles. MOT data shows suspension component damage at 128.3 times the national fleet average on some variants. The issue affects control arm bushes, ball joints, and the metal components themselves. UK road salt and the Forester's design combine to trap moisture and accelerate corrosion around suspension mounting points. This creates both safety and MOT failure risks.
Corroded suspension components can fail suddenly, causing loss of vehicle control and potential accidents. Even minor suspension damage typically results in MOT failure. Repair costs vary widely depending on which components are affected, from £200 for simple bush replacement to £1,500+ if multiple components and mounting points need attention.
Listen for knocking, clunking or rattling over bumps during the test drive. Inspect the underside for corroded or cracked suspension components. Check the MOT history for suspension-related advisories, which often predict future failures.
The rear subframe on SH, SJ, and SK generation Foresters suffers from severe corrosion where the mounting points attach to the body shell. The subframe carries the rear suspension, differential, and exhaust mounting points. When corrosion compromises the mounting areas, the structural integrity of the vehicle is severely reduced, making it dangerous to drive. This is a well-documented issue affecting thousands of UK Foresters.
If the subframe mounting points fail, the rear suspension and differential assembly can separate from the vehicle, causing immediate loss of control and potentially fatal consequences. The car becomes an immediate MOT failure and should not be driven. Repair typically requires cutting out corroded sections and welding in new metal, costing £1,500-£3,000 depending on the extent of damage.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
EJ series engines in the Forester are prone to external head gasket leaks between the cylinder head and block, particularly affecting the coolant passages. This is a design weakness of the horizontally opposed engine layout where the gaskets are positioned vertically and subject to constant thermal cycling. The issue typically manifests as external coolant leaks rather than internal combustion chamber breaches. Early detection and repair prevents more serious cooling system damage and engine overheating. Later FB engines do not suffer from this specific gasket design issue.
External head gasket leaks lead to gradual coolant loss and potential engine overheating if not addressed. If coolant loss is significant and the engine overheats, serious internal engine damage can occur including warped cylinder heads or complete engine failure. Head gasket replacement typically costs £800-£2,000 depending on the extent of work required.
Look for oil weeping around gasket surfaces — rocker cover, sump and timing cover are common areas. Check for coolant mixing with oil (creamy residue on the filler cap) which indicates a more serious head gasket issue.
The brake hose end fittings (ferrules) on petrol Foresters corrode at 77.7 times the national fleet average according to MOT data. The ferrules are the metal crimped connections where flexible brake hoses connect to rigid brake lines or brake components. Corrosion at these points can cause brake fluid leaks and potentially brake line separation. This issue appears to affect petrol models more than diesels, possibly due to different routing or materials used. The high failure rate makes this a priority inspection item on any Forester.
Corroded brake hose ferrules can fail completely, causing sudden brake fluid loss and potentially total brake failure. Even minor corrosion typically results in MOT failure. Brake hose replacement is essential for safety and typically costs £200-£400 depending on how many hoses need replacement and whether brake system bleeding is required.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
FB20 engines fitted to SK generation Foresters consume oil at abnormally high rates due to piston ring design and combustion chamber characteristics. Subaru acknowledges consumption of up to 1 litre per 1,200 miles as acceptable, but many owners report significantly higher consumption. The issue stems from oil control ring design and bore finish that allows oil past the rings into the combustion chamber. This is a known characteristic of FB engines requiring constant monitoring and regular top-ups between services. Some engines may require internal work if consumption becomes excessive.
Excessive oil consumption can lead to engine seizure if oil levels drop too low between checks. Even moderate consumption requires frequent monitoring and oil top-ups, with costs of £200-£500 annually in additional oil. Severe cases may require engine internal work including piston ring replacement, costing £2,000-£4,000. The car remains driveable with careful oil level monitoring.
Check the oil level before the engine is started. Ask the seller how often they top up the oil between services. After a test drive, check the level again and look behind the car for blue or grey exhaust smoke under acceleration.
For the full breakdown of all 8 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Subaru Forester common problems page.
Based on 87k real DVSA MOT tests, the Subaru Forester fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is anti-roll bar links worn at 88x the fleet average, followed by suspension ball joints worn (58x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Subaru Forester MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £80–£120 at an independent garage.
The bigger-ticket items to budget for include timing belt (£400–£600).
See the full Subaru Forester service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Subaru Forester has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. 2016-2018 fourth-generation models are the reliability sweet spot, benefiting from years of refinement. The 2018 is particularly well-regarded as the final, most polished year of that generation. Avoid 2003-2006 cars due to head gasket failures, and the 2014-2015 models for CVT and oil consumption issues.
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Subaru Forester, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 8 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 8 known Subaru Forester issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.