Ford Kuga common problems and MOT failures
What goes wrong on a used Ford Kuga, year by year: known faults from UK buying guides, the parts flagged at MOT more than on other cars (from 868,437 MOTs done during 2023–2025), and what to check before you buy one.
Pick the year
Most years have their own guide. The year is when the car was first registered (it’s on the logbook, or check the reg below).
2026202520242023202220212020201920182017201620152014201320122011201020092008
Generation guides: Ford Kuga Mk1 (2008–2012) · Ford Kuga Mk2 (2013–2020) · Ford Kuga Mk3 (2020–2024)
What usually goes wrong with a Ford Kuga?
Known faults reported by owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Most apply to certain years or engines only, so check which the car has.
- Cars registered 2018–2025 · 2.0 EcoBlue diesel (most Ford 2.0 diesels from about 2018)
Oil pump belt that runs in oil (2.0 EcoBlue diesel)
The 2.0 EcoBlue diesel drives its oil pump with a belt that runs in the engine oil. As it wears it can shed rubber and cut oil pressure, which can wreck the engine. Ford has shortened the change interval on the Transit to 6 years or 100,000 miles.
At the viewing: Ask when the oil pump belt was last changed, and watch for an oil-pressure warning light.
Source: Parkers: everything you need to know about the Ford wet belt
- Cars registered 2013–2019 · 1.6 EcoBoost petrol
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.
At the viewing: Check the coolant level and look for leaks. Ask Ford whether the recall was done.
- Cars registered 2020–2025 · 2.5 plug-in hybrid
Plug-in hybrid battery recalls
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.
- Cars registered 2008–2009 · 2.0 diesel, built before Mar 2009
Stiff brake pedal recall (2.0 diesel, built before Mar 2009)
A faulty brake valve could stiffen the pedal and lengthen stopping distances on 2.0 diesels built before March 2009.
At the viewing: Ask a Ford dealer to confirm the recall was done.
- Cars registered 2014–2025 · 1.5 EcoBoost petrol
May have a timing belt that runs in oil (1.5 EcoBoost)
Ford used both wet timing belts and timing chains on its 1.5 EcoBoost petrol. A wet belt can break down if oil changes are late, starving the engine of oil. A Ford dealer can tell you from the VIN which this car has.
At the viewing: Ask whether it has a belt or a chain, and for a full service history with the right oil.
Source: Parkers: everything you need to know about the Ford wet belt
- Cars registered 2013–2019 · Manual gearbox
Jumping out of gear
The manual gearbox can jump out of first or second.
At the viewing: Accelerate firmly in first and second on the test drive.
- Cars registered 2020–2025 · All engines
Oil and fuel leak recall
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.
- Cars registered 2020–2025 · Cars with a glass roof
Glass roof recall
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.
- Cars registered 2008–2012 · Diesel
Clogged particulate filter (diesel)
Short, slow trips clog the particulate filter, which is expensive to replace.
At the viewing: Ask what journeys it does, and watch for a DPF warning.
- Cars registered 2013–2019
Creak when pulling away
A creak from the front when setting off usually means the driveshafts need resealing.
At the viewing: Listen as you pull away from a standstill.
Common Ford Kuga MOT failures to check
Parts flagged at MOT well above the usual rate for cars the same age, in more than one year. From the DVSA’s results for every MOT done in Great Britain during 2023–2025.
Steering rack inner joints
up to 4.1× usualStands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
Rough price £100–£450 our estimateAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Brake pads
up to 1.7× usualStands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.
Steering rack
up to 6.7× usualStands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Rough price £100–£450 our estimateAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Sub-frame
up to 3.4× usualStands out on cars registered in 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.
Sidelights
up to 3.1× usualStands out on cars registered in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Rough price £10–£80 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.
Diesel smoke emissions
up to 7.2× usualStands out on cars registered in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Rough price £175–£900 (catalytic converter) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Look for smoke when revving the warm engine and for engine or DPF warning lights.
Ford Kuga MOT pass rate by year
Of the years since 2005 with plenty of MOT tests, the 2013 Ford Kuga did best (72% passed first time, 5 points above all 2013 cars) and the 2011 did worst (61%, 1 point below all 2011 cars). Older cars fail more, so compare each year with all cars registered the same year.
| Year | Pass first time | All cars that year | MOT tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 93% | 92% +1 | 1,433 |
| 2022 | 92% | 89% +3 | 28,093 |
| 2021 | 90% | 87% +3 | 42,420 |
| 2020 | 89% | 87% +2 | 45,754 |
| 2019 | 85% | 85% +0 | 120,855 |
| 2018 | 85% | 83% +2 | 114,082 |
| 2017 | 84% | 80% +4 | 109,555 |
| 2016 | 80% | 77% +3 | 98,933 |
| 2015 | 77% | 74% +3 | 91,248 |
| 2014 | 73% | 70% +3 | 67,264 |
| 2013 | 72% | 67% +5 | 37,769 |
| 2012 | 64% | 64% +0 | 27,782 |
| 2011 | 61% | 62% -1 | 26,371 |
| 2010 | 59% | 60% -1 | 27,538 |
| 2009 | 59% | 59% +0 | 21,790 |
| 2008 | 60% | 57% +3 | 7,550 |
Questions to ask the seller before buying a Ford Kuga
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Has the oil pump belt been changed, and is there a full service history?
- Has the Ford recall for overheating on the 1.6 EcoBoost been done?
- Have all the battery recalls been done?
- Has the brake valve recall been done?
- Does it have a timing belt or chain, and when was the belt last changed?
- Has the leak recall been done?
Looking at a Ford Kuga?
Check the actual car: its own MOT history, whether it already shows these weak spots and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.
Where this comes from: MOT figures are the DVSA’s anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, grouped by the year each car was first registered. How many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score