Ford Kuga Mk3: best and worst years, and what goes wrong
How each year of the Ford Kuga Mk3 did at the MOTs done during 2025, compared with other cars the same age, the weak spots that keep coming up, and what to check before you buy one. From 63,934 MOT tests.
Which Ford Kuga Mk3 years are best and worst at their MOT?
First-time MOT pass rate for each year of the Ford Kuga Mk3, against all cars registered the same year. Older cars fail more, so the comparison with cars the same age is what matters.
Common Ford Kuga Mk3 MOT failures, year after year
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.
- Brake discsup to 2.3× usual
Stands out in 3 years: 2023, 2022, 2021.
Rough price £150–£350 our estimateAt 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.
What usually goes wrong with the Ford Kuga Mk3?
From owners, mechanics and UK buying guides, in our own words. Not every car will have them.
Plug-in hybrid battery recalls
The 2.5 plug-in hybrid had three recalls in 2020 for its high-voltage battery, including overheating.
Check: Ask a Ford dealer to confirm every battery recall is done.
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.
Check: 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
A 2022 recall covered leaks on Kugas built up to summer 2022.
Check: Look and sniff for oil or fuel, and check the recall status.
Glass roof recall
A 2022 recall covered glass roofs that could come loose, mainly on 2021 cars.
Check: Check the roof's fit and seals, and the recall status.
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.
Check: 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
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 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
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