2018 Ford Kuga: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2018 Ford Kuga?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2018 Ford Kuga than on all cars registered in 2018.

• Brake pads1.6× usual
  Ford Kuga

  17.7% All 2018 cars

  10.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3%, against 2% of all 2018 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.

• Number plates1.6× usual
  Ford Kuga

  2.3% All 2018 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.2%, against 0.2% of all 2018 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

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

Petrol or diesel: does it make a difference?

The same figures for each fuel on its own. Check which one the car you're looking at is: it's on the logbook and in its MOT history.

Common 2018 Ford Kuga MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2018 Ford Kuga MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  30% 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
  24% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  7% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Lights and electrics
  5% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

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

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

• Suspension
  4% 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.

Known faults on the 2018 Ford Kuga

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.

• Coolant leak (1.6 EcoBoost)

  1.6 EcoBoost petrol

  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.

  Source: Haynes: Ford Kuga (2013-2020) common problems

• Oil pump belt that runs in oil (2.0 EcoBlue diesel)

  2.0 EcoBlue diesel (most Ford 2.0 diesels from about 2018)

  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

• Jumping out of gear

  Manual gearbox

  The manual gearbox can jump out of first or second.

  At the viewing: Accelerate firmly in first and second on the test drive.

  Source: Haynes: Ford Kuga (2013-2020) common problems

• May have a timing belt that runs in oil (1.5 EcoBoost)

  1.5 EcoBoost petrol

  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

• 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.

  Source: Haynes: Ford Kuga (2013-2020) common problems

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2018 Ford Kuga

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the Ford recall for overheating on the 1.6 EcoBoost been done?
2. Has the oil pump belt been changed, and is there a full service history?
3. Does it have a timing belt or chain, and when was the belt last changed?
4. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2018 Ford Kuga as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the number plates? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2018 Ford Kuga as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?