Subaru Forester 2004

🚨 What to check before buying

Overall risk score: 10/10

Serious risks

• Head gasket failure (NA CRITICAL): NA (non-turbo) EJ25 has external head gasket leak — oil and/or coolant leak from sides. Very common. Turbo versions have stronger multi-layer steel gaskets.
• Ringland failure (turbo STI): STI/WRX turbo versions can crack piston ring lands under high boost or detonation.
• Car is 22 years old — expect age-related wear: rubber seals, bushings, water pump, AC compressor
• Very high mileage (296,387 km) — expect suspension, drivetrain, and turbo wear. Thorough pre-purchase inspection essential.

Additional notes

• Subaru EJ25 2.5 is NOTORIOUS for head gasket failure. External oil/coolant leaks are extremely common above 100k km. Repair costs €800-2,000 (requires engine-out on some models). Check for oil weeping at cylinder-head-to-block seam.
• Vehicle is 15+ years old. Age-related issues: rubber seals/hoses degrade, electrical connectors corrode, suspension bushings wear. Not specific to any engine, but expect €500-1,500/year in age-related maintenance beyond normal service items.
• Subaru EJ25 with 80k+ km — head gasket failure is the most common issue with boxer engines. Look for: coolant loss without visible leak, white residue around head gaskets, milky oil. External head gasket seep is common and often acceptable; internal failure is serious. Budget €800-2,000 for head gasket job.
• Subaru EJ25 naturally aspirated flat-4 with 100k+ km: head gasket failure is almost inevitable. The boxer engine layout and multi-layer steel gasket design lead to external oil seepage and eventual coolant loss. Symptoms: oil stains on underside, sweet smell from coolant, overheating. Head gasket replacement requires engine removal on Subaru — €1,500-3,000. If buying, budget for this repair or confirm it's already been done.