Used car guide

2011 Ford Kuga: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2011 Ford Kugas, from 8,436 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

8,436MOT tests in 2025
59%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 61%)
8,100typical miles a year
4.5×the usual rate for steering rack inner joints

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2011 Ford Kugas than on all cars registered in 2011.

  • Steering rack inner joints4.5× usual
    Ford Kuga
    11.7% All 2011 cars
    2.6%
    Rough price £80–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Brake pads1.5× usual
    Ford Kuga
    14.5% All 2011 cars
    9.4%
    Rough price £80–£180

    At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

  • Number plate lights1.6× usual
    Ford Kuga
    13% All 2011 cars
    8.1%
    Rough price £5–£40

    At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

  • Sub-frame1.7× usual
    Ford Kuga
    10.2% All 2011 cars
    5.9%
    Rough price £300–£1,000

    At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

  • Steering rack4.8× usual
    Ford Kuga
    4.3% All 2011 cars
    0.9%
    Rough price £80–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.7% here, against 6.1% of all 2011 cars. Ball joint: 2.7% here, against 6.1% of all 2011 cars.

By area

The share of 2011 Ford Kuga MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    44% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    38% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Lights and electrics
    30% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    25% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Steering
    14% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    12% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Ford Kuga?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201940,621Tyres 29%
201838,315Tyres 31%
201736,676Tyres 30%
201633,137Tyres 32%
201530,459Tyres 34%
201422,268Tyres 35%
201312,355Tyres 34%
20129,010Suspension 40%
20108,573Suspension 46%
20096,410Suspension 46%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2011 Ford Kugas registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score