2023 Ford Kuga: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2023 Ford Kuga?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2023 Ford Kuga than on all cars registered in 2023.

• Brake discs2.3× usual
  Ford Kuga

  5.4% All 2023 cars

  2.3%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.1%, against 0.1% of all 2023 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £150–£350 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look through the wheel at the brake disc: a deep lip at the edge or heavy scoring means they're worn. Feel for judder when braking.

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 2023 Ford Kuga MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2023 Ford Kuga MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  14% 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
  6% 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.

• 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.

• Seats and seatbelts
  2% of testsRough price £80–£250

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  2% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Suspension
  1% 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 2023 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.

• 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 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

• 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

• 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

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2023 Ford Kuga

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

1. Have all the battery recalls been done?
2. Has the oil pump belt been changed, and is there a full service history?
3. Has the leak recall been done?
4. Has the roof recall been done?
5. Does it have a timing belt or chain, and when was the belt last changed?
6. Any recent work on the brake discs? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2023 Ford Kuga as on other cars the same age.)