Subaru Pre-Purchase Inspection in Sydney

Why does a used Subaru need an independent inspection?

Subarus have a loyal following and most are tough. Australian used-car advice still flags a few areas worth checking on any example. None of them means a given car is affected.

Lineartronic CVT

CarsGuide says reported Outback CVT concerns "mainly affect vehicles built between 2010 and 2015", with symptoms including jerkiness at low speed and light throttle, harsh shifting, shudder under acceleration and a delay selecting gears from Park (CarsGuide). carsales says reverse normally engages in 1–2 seconds, but owners have reported four seconds or more, and that Subaru's remedy was a CVT fluid change and a transmission control module reset, though problems can recur (carsales). For the newer Forester, CarsGuide says the Subaru unit "has proven itself to be less troublesome than other brands" (CarsGuide).

Oil consumption on early FB engines

CarsGuide says early FB20 and FB25 engines were "sometimes guilty of excess oil consumption", traced to EGR valve design or piston rings, and addressed by the 2015 model year; for the 2013–2018 Forester it says some fixes went as far as engine replacement (CarsGuide). carsales says Subaru considers up to 1 litre per 2,000 km normal, and warns that an engine that rattles at start-up may have been run low on oil (carsales).

Head gaskets on older 2.5-litre engines

carsales says older 2.5-litre Subaru engines suffered head gasket failure, but by 2009 the problem was deemed cured, and recommends checking oil and coolant for contamination (carsales). CarsGuide's older Outback advice instead dates a gasket design change to around 2011. These source dates are not a guarantee that a particular engine is unaffected. CarsGuide says the flat-four has two head gaskets; signs include overheating, oil seeping where the head meets the block, and coolant under the car (CarsGuide).

Recalls

CarsGuide reports that in 2019 Subaru Australia recalled 121,754 Forester, WRX, Impreza and XV models over a fault that could stop the brake lights working (CarsGuide). Drive reports later recalls covering 57,088 XV and Impreza models for an ECM fault that could stall the engine and 38,755 XV and Forester models for rear stabiliser bracket bolts, and in 2022, 78,617 Liberty, Outback, Levorg, Impreza and XV models over the electronic park brake (Drive). Older Forester, Impreza (including WRX and STI), Liberty and Outback models are on the Takata airbag recall list (Product Safety Australia). Check any car by VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au. An inspection can't confirm recall work was done, so ask for the dealer's completion record.

Warranty transfer facts

According to Subaru Australia, new Subarus purchased on or after 1 January 2019 have a 5-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty (5 years/150,000 km for hire, taxi, rideshare, rental, driving school, delivery or courier use), and the New Vehicle Warranty "runs with the vehicle and is transferable from owner to owner". Cars purchased and delivered before that date had 3 years/unlimited km unless bought during a campaign period. Subaru hybrid and electric high-voltage batteries have an 8-year/160,000 km warranty, whichever comes first (Subaru Australia). Give the VIN to a Subaru dealer to confirm the warranty start date before you pay. An inspection can't confirm warranty status.

• From a licensed NSW dealer, eligible used vehicles under 10 years old and under 160,000 km carry a statutory dealer guarantee of 3 months or 5,000 km, whichever comes first, subject to exclusions. Australian Consumer Law guarantees also apply to eligible dealer sales (NSW Government). A private sale has no statutory dealer guarantee; other legal rights depend on the circumstances. An inspection helps you assess the vehicle before paying.
• Ask for the service book and invoices (especially CVT fluid services and on-time oil changes), recall completion records, both keys and the registration papers. Ask about oil top-ups and any head gasket work. If an independent dealer offers an extended warranty, check in writing whether the CVT is covered and for how much. An inspection can't confirm warranty status.
• Before paying, run a PPSR check for registered finance/security interests, stolen status or written-off records. Comprehensive and Elite include a full PPSR. It can't show damage that was never reported or certify recall repairs.