Used car guide

2001 Ford Puma: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2001 Ford Pumas, from 526 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

526MOT tests in 2025
62%pass first time (all 2001 cars: 61%)
3,200typical miles a year
2.4×the usual rate for rust around suspension or steering mountings

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2001 Ford Pumas than on all cars registered in 2001.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.4× usual
    Ford Puma
    18.6% All 2001 cars
    7.8%

    Failed outright at MOT: 11.2%, against 4.1% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    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.

  • Flexible brake hoses2.3× usual
    Ford Puma
    13.9% All 2001 cars
    6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.4%, against 0.9% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£200 our estimate

    At the viewing: Look for cracked or bulging rubber hoses behind the wheels and in the engine bay.

  • Wheels5.2× usual
    Ford Puma
    5.7% All 2001 cars
    1.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.3% of all 2001 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £70–£150 our estimate

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

Better than most

Exhaust system: 4.6% here, against 9.7% of all 2001 cars.

By area

The share of 2001 Ford Puma MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    47% 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.

  • Brakes
    41% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    30% 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    29% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Tyres
    25% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    16% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20231,535Tyres 9%
202222,240Tyres 19%
202119,571Tyres 21%
202013,664Tyres 27%
2000512Suspension 37%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2001 Ford Pumas registered in 2001. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score