Part of the Ford Kuga Mk2 (2013–2020) guide: best and worst years compared.

Part of the Ford Kuga Mk3 (2020–2024) guide: best and worst years compared.

Used car guide

2020 Ford Kuga: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2020 Ford Kugas, from 11,120 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

11,120MOT tests in 2025
86%pass first time (all 2020 cars: 86%)
7,500typical miles a year
1.8×the usual rate for brake pads

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2020 Ford Kugas than on all cars registered in 2020.

  • Brake pads1.8× usual
    Ford Kuga
    16.6% All 2020 cars
    9.3%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.2%, against 1.6% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

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

  • Shock absorbers2.9× usual
    Ford Kuga
    5.8% All 2020 cars
    2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.3% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints15× usual
    Ford Kuga
    3% All 2020 cars
    0.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.1% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Washers2× usual
    Ford Kuga
    2% All 2020 cars
    1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £15–£60 our estimate

    At the viewing: Test the wipers and washers on every speed.

By area

The share of 2020 Ford Kuga MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    27% 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.

  • Brakes
    22% 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.

  • Suspension
    10% 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.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    6% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Seats and seatbelts
    4% of testsRough price £80–£250

    At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

  • Lights and electrics
    3% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

Known faults

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

  • Plug-in hybrid battery recalls
    2.5 plug-in hybrid

    The 2.5 plug-in hybrid had three recalls in 2020 for its high-voltage battery, including overheating.

    At the viewing: Ask a Ford dealer to confirm every battery recall is done.

    Source: Auto Express: used Ford Kuga Mk3 review

  • Oil and fuel leak recall
    All engines

    A 2022 recall covered leaks on Kugas built up to summer 2022.

    At the viewing: Look and sniff for oil or fuel, and check the recall status.

    Source: Auto Express: used Ford Kuga Mk3 review

  • Glass roof recall
    Cars with a glass roof

    A 2022 recall covered glass roofs that could come loose, mainly on 2021 cars.

    At the viewing: Check the roof's fit and seals, and the recall status.

    Source: Auto Express: used Ford Kuga Mk3 review

Looking at a Ford Kuga?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023541Tyres 14%
202213,628Tyres 19%
202112,507Tyres 25%
201940,634Tyres 29%
201838,320Tyres 31%
201736,679Tyres 30%
201633,137Tyres 32%
201530,462Tyres 34%
201422,269Tyres 35%
201312,355Tyres 34%
20129,014Suspension 40%
20118,438Suspension 44%
20108,574Suspension 46%
20096,411Suspension 46%
20082,148Suspension 44%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2020 Ford Kugas registered in 2020. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score