In 2025, 283,575 Ford Kuga cars had a regular MOT in Great Britain. 78% passed first time, compared with 76% for all cars of the same ages, which makes the Kuga about average. Adjusted for age, it ranks 99 of the 217 most-tested car models.
That comparison matters: older cars fail more often, so a raw pass rate flatters models that are mostly young. We compare each model against every car on the road at the same age.
Pass rate by age
At 3 years old, 92% of Kugas passed first time (all cars that age: 88%). By 17 years, that figure is 60% (all cars: 57%). It beats the average car at every age with enough data, from 3 to 17 years.
Ford Kuga All cars of that age
| Age | Tests | Kuga passed first time | All cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 17,541 | 92% | 88% | 27,574.0497121031 |
| 4 years | 12,872 | 89% | 87% | 35,880.6445773773 |
| 5 years | 3,905 | 87% | 86% | 40,660.2829705506 |
| 6 years | 40,600 | 84% | 84% | 45,670 |
| 7 years | 38,314 | 84% | 81% | 54,703 |
| 8 years | 36,650 | 83% | 78% | 64,408.6957435198 |
| 9 years | 33,092 | 78% | 75% | 73,108 |
| 10 years | 30,438 | 74% | 72% | 81,443 |
| 11 years | 22,245 | 72% | 69% | 89,445 |
| 12 years | 12,327 | 70% | 66% | 98,472 |
| 13 years | 8,963 | 62% | 63% | 107,518 |
| 14 years | 8,425 | 59% | 61% | 115,126 |
| 15 years | 8,559 | 59% | 59% | 121,879 |
| 16 years | 6,380 | 59% | 58% | 126,380 |
| 17 years | 2,133 | 60% | 57% | 130,127 |
What fails most on a Ford Kuga
No single area stands out: the Kuga fails on each part of the test at roughly the rate you would expect. It does comparatively well on suspension and steering.
Share of Kuga tests failing on this area Average car
The six most common failure items
| Failure item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning | Lights and electrics | 3.4% |
| A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm | Brakes | 3.2% |
| Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements | Tyres | 3.2% |
| The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements | Lights and electrics | 2.5% |
| Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen | Visibility | 2.2% |
| A tyre seriously damaged | Tyres | 2.1% |
What to check when buying a used Kuga
Based on where the Kuga fails more often than other cars, these are the checks worth making before you buy:
- Tyres: Check tread across the whole width (uneven wear hints at alignment or suspension faults), and look for cuts, bulges and mismatched brands. Repair guide
- Visibility: Check the windscreen for chips in the driver’s view, the wipers for smearing and the washers for working jets. Repair guide
- Brakes: Look through the wheels for lipped or scored discs, check the handbrake holds on a slope, and feel for pulling or vibration under firm braking. Repair guide
Then check the individual car: its own MOT history will show whether it follows the pattern. A car with repeated advisories in the same weak area is more likely to fail its next test.
Check a specific Kuga
Enter the registration to see its full MOT history, mileage record and reliability score, compared with these figures.
Check a KugaFrequently asked questions
What is the MOT pass rate for a Ford Kuga?
In 2025, 78% of Ford Kuga cars passed their MOT first time, across 283,575 tests. Cars of the same ages averaged 76%.
What do Ford Kuga cars most often fail their MOT on?
The most common failure items were: a lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning (3.4% of tests); a brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm (3.2% of tests); tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements (3.2% of tests).
Other Ford models
Ford Fiesta (65%), Ford Focus (67%), Ford Transit (62%), Ford Mondeo (67%), Ford Ka (66%), Ford Transit Connect (66%). All Ford models
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025 (class 4 normal tests; first-time pass means passed with no faults fixed at the test). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.