Used car guide · 2013–2020

Ford Kuga Mk2: best and worst years, and what goes wrong

How every year of the Ford Kuga Mk2 did at its MOT in 2025 compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 214,988 MOT tests.

2017best year: 83% pass first time, 5 points above all 2017 cars

2019weakest year: 84% pass first time, 0 points above all 2019 cars

Sub-framethe weak spot that shows up in 4 different years

Year by year

First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Ford Kuga Mk2, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.

This model, first-time pass rate All cars registered that year · * changeover year: some cars are the previous or next generation

Year	Pass first time	All cars that year	Stands out	MOT tests
2013	70%	66% +4	Sub-frame 3.4× usual	12,355
2014	72%	69% +3	Sub-frame 3.4× usual	22,268
2015	74%	72% +2	Tyre pressure monitoring system 3.6× usual	30,459
2016	78%	75% +3	Sidelights 3.2× usual	33,137
2017	83%	78% +5	Nothing unusual	36,676
2018	84%	81% +3	Number plates 1.6× usual	38,315
2019	84%	84% +0	Side repeaters 6× usual	40,621
2020*	84%	86% -2	Brake pads 2× usual	1,157

Weak spots across the Ford Kuga Mk2

Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year of this generation. Repeat findings like these are much less likely to be chance.

Sub-frameup to 3.4× usual

Stands out in 4 years: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013.

Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.
Tyre pressure monitoring systemup to 4× usual

Stands out in 3 years: 2016, 2015, 2014.

Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges. Uneven wear can point to tracking or suspension problems.
Sidelightsup to 3.2× usual

Stands out in 3 years: 2016, 2015, 2014.

Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
Steering rack inner jointsup to 2.3× usual

Stands out in 2 years: 2014, 2013.

Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Number platesup to 1.7× usual

Stands out in 2 years: 2019, 2018.

Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

Known faults

From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.

Coolant leak (1.6 EcoBoost)
The 1.6 EcoBoost can leak coolant from the expansion tank. Early cars were recalled because the engine could crack if it overheated.
Check: Check the coolant level and look for leaks. Ask Ford whether the recall was done.
Source: Haynes: Ford Kuga (2013-2020) common problems
Jumping out of gear
The manual gearbox can jump out of first or second.
Check: Accelerate firmly in first and second on the test drive.
Source: Haynes: Ford Kuga (2013-2020) common problems
Creak when pulling away
A creak from the front when setting off usually means the driveshafts need resealing.
Check: Listen as you pull away from a standstill.
Source: Haynes: Ford Kuga (2013-2020) common problems

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting each car's main test of the year (not retests). A weak spot needs at least 30 cars flagged and must stay 1.5× the usual rate even at the cautious end of a 95% confidence range. Generation years are approximate: cars registered in a changeover year (*) can be either generation. How we score

Looking at a Ford Kuga?

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