Used Ford Kuga Buying Guide: MOT Data & Checks

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The Ford Kuga recorded a 79.4% MOT pass rate based on 312,077 tests in 2025, which is 2.4 percentage points higher than the same-age benchmark of 77.1%. There were 381,478 Ford Kuga cars licensed in 2026 Q2. This buying guide presents the latest DVSA MOT data by age and common failure areas to help buyers assess a used example.

Data: DVSA MOT tests 2025 · DfT licensing 2026 Q2 · updated 22 October 2026

At a glance

On UK roads: 381,478 licensed cars (2026 Q2), up from 287,610 in 2021 Q2
MOT pass rate (first test, 2025): 79.4% (+2.4 pts vs all cars of the same age)
Tests analysed: 312,077
Recall campaigns: 40 since 1992

Pass rate by year of first use

The table shows the Ford Kuga MOT pass rate for each first-use year with the number of tests conducted. Initial MOT tests in 2025, class 4. Rows with fewer than 500 tests hidden.
Year	Tests	Pass rate	vs same-age average
2008	2,133	60.2%	+3 pts
2009	6,381	59.4%	+1.1 pts
2010	8,560	58.6%	-0.7 pts
2011	8,427	59%	-2.2 pts
2012	8,966	62%	-1.5 pts
2013	12,327	70.3%	+4.5 pts
2014	22,246	71.6%	+3 pts
2015	30,442	74.2%	+2.3 pts
2016	33,093	78%	+3.1 pts
2017	36,653	83%	+4.8 pts
2018	38,320	84.1%	+3.2 pts
2019	40,613	84.4%	+0.9 pts
2020	15,489	86.6%	+0.6 pts
2021	20,535	89.1%	+1.9 pts
2022	26,462	91.9%	+3.4 pts
2023	1,379	93.3%	+1.7 pts

Where they fail

The table shows the percentage of Ford Kuga MOT tests failed for each main failure area in 2025.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment: 7.5% of initial tests
Tyres: 6.1% of initial tests
Brakes: 4.6% of initial tests
Visibility: 3.7% of initial tests
Suspension: 3% of initial tests
Noise, emissions and leaks: 1.9% of initial tests
Body, chassis, structure: 1.6% of initial tests
Steering: 0.8% of initial tests
Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems: 0.4% of initial tests
Identification of the vehicle: 0.2% of initial tests
Road Wheels: 0.2% of initial tests
Seat belt installation check: 0% of initial tests
Speedometer and speed limiter: 0% of initial tests

Top failure items

The table shows the most common failure items recorded on Ford Kuga MOT tests in 2025 with the percentage of tests affected.
#	Item (DVSA wording)	% of tests
1	Position lamp: not working	2.64%
2	Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick	2.58%
3	Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm	2.11%
4	Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively	1.5%
5	Tyre pressure monitoring system: malfunctioning or obviously inoperative	1.44%
6	Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid	1.38%
7	Condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords	1.33%
8	Condition: has ply or cords exposed	1.06%
9	Coil spring: fractured or broken	1.01%
10	Stop lamp: not working	0.95%

What to check on a viewing

The top MOT failure items for the Ford Kuga in 2025 DVSA data (tested cars, not any one vehicle). Before viewing, check advisories at https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history.

Sidelights (position lamps) (2.64% of tests)

Switch on the sidelights and walk round the car.
Check the rear lamps and any LED units for dead sections.

If you find it: Usually a cheap fix; use it to negotiate.

Brake pads (2.58% of tests)

Look through the wheel spokes at pad thickness and disc lips.
On the test drive, feel for judder, pulling or grinding.

If you find it: Negotiate or ask for a repair receipt for recent brake work.

Tyre tread depth (2.11% of tests)

Check tread on every tyre, inner edges too (the legal minimum is 1.6mm).
Look for uneven wear, which can point to alignment issues.
Check the MOT history for tyre advisories.

If you find it: Negotiate the cost of new tyres.

Wipers (1.5% of tests)

Run the wipers with washer fluid and look for smearing or streaks.
Check blades for splits and that every speed works.

If you find it: Blades are cheap; negotiate a little.

Tyre pressure warning system (1.44% of tests)

Watch for a tyre pressure warning light when the ignition is switched on and during the test drive.
Ask when the tyres were last changed and whether the sensors were checked.

If you find it: Negotiate the cost of a sensor or a system reset.

Windscreen washers (1.38% of tests)

Run the washers: jets should hit the screen evenly.
Check for leaks under the washer bottle.

If you find it: Often just a blocked jet; minor.

Tyre cuts (1.33% of tests)

Look closely at sidewalls and tread for deep cuts.
Check the spare, if there is one.

If you find it: Negotiate for replacement before you drive away.

Tyre condition: exposed cords (1.06% of tests)

Turn the steering to full lock and check the inner shoulders.
Look for bulges, cracks and exposed cords on every sidewall.

If you find it: Exposed cords mean an unroadworthy tyre: don’t drive it until replaced.

Coil springs (1.01% of tests)

Check the car sits level on flat ground.
Listen for clunks over bumps and when turning at low speed.
Check the MOT history for spring advisories.

If you find it: Negotiate or ask for a repair receipt; a broken spring is a fail.

Brake lights (0.95% of tests)

Have someone watch while you press the brake pedal.
Check all brake lights, including the high-level one.

If you find it: Usually a bulb or switch; negotiate.

Most common advisories

Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17.88% of tests)
Brake pads: wearing thin (12.23% of tests)
Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (8.01% of tests)
Condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (7.04% of tests)
Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (4.27% of tests)

Typical mileage at MOT

The table shows the median mileage recorded on Ford Kuga MOT tests in 2025 for each vehicle age with the number of tests.
Age (years)	Median miles
3	24,280
4	32,986
5	37,151
6	43,577
7	52,582
8	62,416
9	71,000
10	79,581
11	87,694
12	96,802
13	105,595
14	113,645
15	120,689

Median recorded at test; individual cars vary.

Fuel mix and fleet

Diesel: 57.7%
Petrol: 19.3%
Plug-in hybrid electric (petrol): 12.8%
Hybrid electric (petrol): 10.2%

381,478 licensed and 10,444 SORN (2026 Q2).

Recalls

40 recall campaigns match this model in the DVSA recalls data (downloaded 2026-10-14).

28/09/2026 · Multi Vehicle Line: Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) Unexpected Activation / Deactivation · build 12/09/2023 to 12/09/2023
18/09/2026 · 26S62 Kuga – EDS Wiring touch · build 20/12/2024 to 30/06/2025
27/08/2026 · 26S10 – Kuga Ranger – Potential Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve Failure · build 05/02/2025 to 04/06/2025
30/06/2026 · Multi Vehicle Line: Unintended High Beam Behaviour – Compliance · build 23/09/2025 to 14/04/2026
15/06/2026 · Transit Courier: Diesel DV-Neo Engine Coolant Pump Update · build 11/03/2020 to 11/03/2020

Recalls apply to specific build ranges. Check a particular car on GOV.UK: Check vehicle recalls (GOV.UK).

Free official checks before you buy

Buyer notes

MOT data describes test outcomes, not overall vehicle condition. The Ford Kuga achieved a 79.4% pass rate from 312,077 tests in 2025, 2.4 points above the same-age benchmark of 77.1%. Pass rates improve with newer examples: 60.2% for 2008 first-use cars based on 2,133 tests, rising to 93.3% for 2023 first-use cars based on 1,379 tests. The most common failure areas are lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment at 7.5% of tests, tyres at 6.1%, brakes at 4.6%, visibility at 3.7% and suspension at 3.0%. Top failure items include position lamp not working at 2.64% of tests, brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick at 2.58%, tyre tread depth below 1.6 mm at 2.11%, wipers not clearing the windscreen effectively at 1.5% and tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning at 1.44%. Common advisories are tyre tread worn close to the legal limit at 17.88% of tests, brake pads wearing thin at 12.23% and brake discs worn but not seriously weakened at 8.01%. Median mileage rises from 24,280 at age 3 based on 26,462 tests to 120,689 at age 15 based on 8,507 tests. There are 40 recalls listed for the Ford Kuga that apply to specific build ranges. Buyers should check a specific car on GOV.UK. See the Ford Focus buying guide and the MOT data methodology guide for further information. Always review the full MOT history on the free GOV.UK service before viewing a car.

Frequently asked questions

What is the MOT pass rate for the Ford Kuga?

The Ford Kuga achieved a 79.4% MOT pass rate based on 312,077 tests in 2025, 2.4 points above the same-age benchmark of 77.1%.

How many Ford Kuga cars are licensed in the UK?

There were 381,478 Ford Kuga cars licensed in 2026 Q2 according to DfT data.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Ford Kuga?

The top items are position lamp not working at 2.64% of tests, brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick at 2.58% and tyre tread depth below requirements at 2.11%.

Data sources and methodology

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Sources: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results (2025); DfT/DVLA Vehicle licensing statistics, VEH0120 (2026 Q2); DVSA vehicle safety recalls (downloaded 2026-10-14). Analysis by Check My Vehicle. Not endorsed by DVSA, DVLA or DfT. How we calculate these figures

Last updated 22 October 2026 · Written by Kate