# Used Subaru Forester Inspection Checklist > What to check on a used Forester, what a problem looks like, and when to walk away. Covers: SH (2008–2012), SJ (2013–2018), SK (2018–2025), 6th gen (2025 on). Last updated: 30 September 2026. Web page: https://shufti.com.au/checklists/used-subaru-forester-inspection-checklist. Printable PDF: https://shufti.com.au/checklists/used-subaru-forester-inspection-checklist.pdf. ## Common Problems on a Used Subaru Forester The most commonly reported problems on a used Subaru Forester are head gasket leaks and oil use on some engines, oil leaks low on the sides of the engine, and CVT automatic judder. Mismatched tyres strain the all-wheel drive, and a windscreen swap can upset the EyeSight driver-assist cameras. ## How to Use This Checklist Tick it if it's fine. Cross it if it isn't, and note what you found so you can price it into your offer. - Safety critical: Affects how safely it drives or protects you in a crash. Best to have a mechanic check it before you buy. - Negotiate: Costs money to fix, from wear to major repairs. Get a quote and take it off the price. ## Before You Go - [ ] **Get the VIN and rego** before you travel. A seller who won't share them is a red flag on its own. - [ ] **Know what you're looking at:** petrol, turbo (XT), diesel or hybrid; manual or CVT automatic. Their checks below are marked. - [ ] **Ask how it was used:** dirt roads, snow trips, towing, or city only? For an XT, ask about tunes. - [ ] **Ask for the engine to be cold,** go in daylight, and bring a torch, paper towel and a friend. ## Exterior - [ ] **Panels and paint.** Uneven gaps, mismatched colour or overspray on seals and trim mean crash repair. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Hail and dents.** Look along the roof, bonnet and tailgate at a low angle to the light. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Dirt-road wear.** Stone-chipped lower doors, scraped bumpers and sills, and roof-rack marks. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Rust** on older cars: rear wheel arches, sills and the bottom of the tailgate. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Lights, glass and cameras.** All lights work; windscreen free of chips. The twin cameras behind the mirror (EyeSight) make windscreens costly to replace. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Doors and tailgate** open, shut and lock cleanly; a power tailgate (if fitted) runs smoothly. (Negotiate) - [ ] **VIN plate** (in a door frame or under the bonnet) is there, untouched, and matches the papers. ## Under the Bonnet - [ ] **Engine oil** between the dipstick marks, brown not black. Ask how often it's topped up. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Coolant** at the mark and a clean colour. Coolant loss, bubbles in the tank or a sweet smell can point to a head gasket leak. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Brake fluid** (small tank at the back of the engine bay) is clear to light amber, not dark. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Belts, hoses and battery.** No cracked belts or swollen hoses; clean battery terminals and a date sticker. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Leaks.** Look low on both sides of the engine, where oil leaks collect on this engine layout. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Turbo (XT): modifications.** An extra box wired into the engine, a loud "whoosh" valve or aftermarket intake means it's been tuned. - [ ] **Cold start.** Starts easily and settles to a smooth idle. A knock or tapping that fades as it warms, or smoke, needs a mechanic. (Negotiate) ## Underbody and Wheels - [ ] **Four matching tyres.** Same brand, size and similar wear, under ~6 years old. Mismatched tyres strain the all-wheel-drive system. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Drive parts.** No oil leaking from the rear axle; no split rubber boots behind the wheels (grease sprayed around). (Negotiate) - [ ] **Rust and crash repairs.** Rust on the floor or around the suspension; bent metal, fresh welds or new black coating in one spot. (Safety critical) - [ ] **Scrapes and drips.** Dents underneath from dirt roads; drips where it's normally parked. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Suspension.** Push down on each corner: it should bounce back once and settle. Oily shock absorbers leak. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Brakes.** Deep grooves or a raised edge on the discs mean they're due. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Exhaust.** Heavy rust, holes or loose heat shields that rattle. Diesel: heavy soot at the tailpipe. (Negotiate) ## Interior and Electrics - [ ] **Warning lights.** Key to "on": every dash light comes on, then goes out once running. An airbag, brake, engine or AWD warning that stays on needs explaining. (Safety critical) - [ ] **Driver assists (EyeSight)** show no fault message. A fault after a windscreen swap can mean the cameras weren't set up properly. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Wear matches the kilometres.** Steering wheel, pedals, driver's seat and cargo area. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Seatbelts** pull out fully, retract and latch, with no fraying. (Safety critical) - [ ] **Air con** blows cold within a minute or two, without a musty smell. A damp headlining can mean blocked sunroof drains. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Electrics.** Screen, Bluetooth/CarPlay, reversing camera, windows and sunroof. Count the keys. (Negotiate) ## Test Drive - [ ] **CVT automatic.** Smooth, steady pull with no judder, surging, slipping or loud whine. Ask when its fluid was changed. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Manual.** In 4th at 50 km/h, floor it: if revs rise faster than speed, the clutch is slipping. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Hybrid.** Moves off smoothly, and the engine joins in with no surges, cut-outs or warnings. (Negotiate) - [ ] **All-wheel drive.** In a car park, drive slowly on full lock both ways: no clunking, juddering or binding. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Brakes.** Firm pedal; stops straight with no pulling, pulsing or grinding. (Safety critical) - [ ] **Noises.** Knocks over bumps; a hum that grows with speed (wheel bearing). Turbo: no loud whistle or smoke. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Afterwards,** check for new drips, a steady temperature gauge and no sweet coolant smell. (Negotiate) ## Documentation - [ ] **Seller's ID** matches the rego papers, and the VIN matches on the papers and VIN plate. - [ ] **Service history.** Logbook stamped on time, with receipts. Ask when the CVT fluid was last changed, if ever. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Engine and gearbox repairs.** Ask about any head gasket, oil-use or CVT work, and get the paperwork. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Timing belt.** Some older Forester engines use one. Ask when it was last replaced. (Negotiate) - [ ] **Warranty.** A newer Forester may still be under Subaru's new-car warranty. Check the start date and that servicing kept it valid. - [ ] **Rego and roadworthy.** Rego checked online; roadworthy supplied if your state requires one on sale. (Negotiate) ## Stay Safe Never go under a car held up only by a jack, and never open the radiator or coolant cap on a hot engine. Keep hands, hair and loose clothing clear of fans and belts when the engine is running, and do checks under the bonnet with it switched off where you can. On the test drive, hold a current licence, confirm the car is registered and insured, obey road rules, and only brake hard when the road behind is clear. Meet in a safe, public-facing place, take someone with you, and don't carry large amounts of cash to a viewing. ## Disclaimer Shufti is not affiliated with or endorsed by Subaru; Subaru and Forester are trademarks of Subaru Corporation. Figures are counts from Shufti's analysis of official records and published reports, not a statement that any particular vehicle is affected. This checklist is general information only and is not professional, mechanical, legal or financial advice. It covers common checks, not every possible fault, and a car can pass every item here and still have serious problems. It is not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection by a qualified mechanic, which we strongly recommend before you buy, especially for anything tagged Safety critical. Repair costs vary widely; get your own quotes. Roadworthy, registration and transfer rules differ by state, so check with your state road authority. Private sales generally don't come with the consumer guarantees that apply when you buy from a dealer. You use this checklist at your own risk and, to the extent permitted by law, Shufti accepts no liability for any loss, damage or injury arising from its use. --- Shufti is an Australian used car inspection app for iPhone and Android that tailors the inspection to the exact car you're looking at. It is not affiliated with Shufti Pro, the identity verification (KYC) company. From the listing link, it builds every check around that car's make, model and year, odometer reading and the seller's description. It runs PPSR and government recall checks, crosschecks a database of more than 3 million recalls and owner complaints, flags problems from your photos and audio, plans a test drive, produces a shareable report with repair cost estimates, and coaches you through the negotiation. A check costs $24.99, or $49.99 for three, including PPSR and recall checks. A mechanic's pre-purchase inspection costs $250–350. Made by Frontpoint Digital Pty Ltd (ABN 23 669 870 366), Melbourne, Australia. Contact: hello@shufti.com.au. Download: [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6795718336), [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.shufti.shufti_app).