Ford Kuga: what fails at MOT
431,000 MOT tests on the Ford Kuga in 2024, counted. 19% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
19% of Ford Kuga tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 21%, so the Kuga is about average for its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (4.8% of tests), tyres (3.6% of tests) and brakes (3% of tests).
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 35,404 | 8.2% | 10.9% | 24,400 17,500 to 32,900 |
| 2020 | 24,442 | 8.9% | 11.5% | 28,400 20,500 to 37,500 |
| 2019 | 60,960 | 13.5% | 13.4% | 35,900 26,400 to 46,900 |
| 2018 | 56,329 | 14.1% | 15.6% | 45,100 33,800 to 57,600 |
| 2017 | 54,139 | 15.0% | 18.2% | 54,900 42,500 to 68,700 |
| 2016 | 47,067 | 18.3% | 21.3% | 63,500 49,500 to 79,400 |
| 2015 | 43,304 | 21.9% | 24.4% | 72,900 57,900 to 89,400 |
| 2014 | 33,140 | 25.0% | 27.7% | 80,900 64,800 to 98,100 |
| 2013 | 18,836 | 25.8% | 30.6% | 90,600 73,500 to 108,900 |
| 2012 | 13,956 | 34.5% | 33.4% | 99,800 81,200 to 119,800 |
| 2011 | 13,771 | 36.1% | 36.1% | 107,100 87,600 to 128,200 |
| 2010 | 14,255 | 38.8% | 38.6% | 116,200 96,500 to 136,900 |
| 2009 | 11,817 | 37.9% | 39.8% | 122,200 102,400 to 142,600 |
| 2008 | 4,060 | 38.1% | 41.5% | 126,100 108,200 to 145,900 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Ford Kuga tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Kuga | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics | 4.8% | 4.9% |
| Tyres | 3.6% | 3.9% |
| Brakes | 3.0% | 3.1% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 2.5% | 2.4% |
| Suspension Less than most | 1.8% | 3.8% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 1.2% | 1.3% |
| Body and structure | 0.9% | 1.2% |
| Steering | 0.5% | 0.8% |
The parts that fail most
- Tyre1.9%
- Brake pads1.9%
- Side light1.8%
- Tyre tread1.5%
- Washers1.3%
- Wipers1.2%
- Headlamp aim1.2%
- Headlamp0.8%
- Coil spring0.7%
- Engine warning light0.6%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.8%
- Side light: not working1.7%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.2%
- Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid0.9%
- Tyre: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords0.8%
- Tyre: has ply or cords exposed0.7%
- Coil spring: fractured or broken0.7%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction0.6%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam0.6%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge12.8%
- Brake pads: wearing thin8.2%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened5.1%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing4.5%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement2.3%
- Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt2.2%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive1.8%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil1.7%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Do the wipers and washers work properly, and is the windscreen chipped or cracked?”
Check a Ford Kuga's own MOT record
Looking at a Kuga? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.