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FORD KUGA Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 7,862 MOT tests from 1,019 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore. The figures below describe that VehicleScore sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are not a claim that every FORD KUGA has the same fault.

FORD KUGA's have a very good reliability rating of 680/999. The score was calculated from the average of every FORD KUGA that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the FORD KUGA.

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FORD KUGA side viewFORD KUGA (example)
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Check a Ford Kuga before you buy

Enter your registration to see available vehicle history information including service records, MOT, mileage, write-off status, outstanding finance and more.

Ford Kuga side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
N/AN/A855/999Excellent72,560 miles7,230 vehicles
N/AN/A802/999Excellent76,581 miles14,741 vehicles
N/AN/A770/999Very good67,116 miles3,721 vehicles
N/AN/A746/999Very good68,611 miles3,764 vehicles
N/AN/A738/999Very good75,731 miles17,095 vehicles
N/AN/A722/999Very good68,358 miles2,460 vehicles
N/AN/A711/999Very good76,459 miles22,121 vehicles
N/AN/A694/999Good66,993 miles1,361 vehicles
N/AN/A646/999Good66,762 miles558 vehicles
N/AN/A605/999Good78,318 miles11,473 vehicles
N/AN/A564/999Above average78,299 miles7,180 vehicles
N/AN/A507/999Above average79,623 miles5,045 vehicles
N/AN/A475/999Average82,110 miles3,559 vehicles

How reliable is the FORD KUGA?

Based on 7,862 MOT tests from 1,019 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore.

Vehicles

1,019

MOT tests

7,862

Pass rate

81.9%

Median mileage

75,293 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every FORD KUGA has the same fault. The median VehicleScore in this sample is 768 out of 999.

Common FORD KUGA MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 1,703 advisory comments and 247 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 587 advisory comments and 111 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore MOT data includes 374 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: REAR BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore MOT data includes 211 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Corrosion

VehicleScore MOT data includes 140 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: REAR SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

Lamp and bulb faults

VehicleScore MOT data includes 124 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a lamp or bulb other than a headlamp or indicator.

What to inspect

Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT POSITION LAMP NOT WORKING (4.2.1 (A) (II))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore MOT data includes 52 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED OR BROKEN (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Windscreen damage

VehicleScore MOT data includes 47 failure comments in this group. Seen mainly as a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record chips, cracks, or other windscreen damage in the driver’s view.

What to inspect

Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT WINDSCREEN WIPER DOES NOT CLEAR THE WINDSCREEN EFFECTIVELY (3.4 (B) (II))

FORD KUGA MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
2026260—No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2025220—No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2024342100%No recurring grouped MOT issue in this year sample
2023818391.6%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20225111387.6%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20214616785.6%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
20203515086%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20196334689%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20189768186.3%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
201710883786.4%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2016118111683.1%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
2015101106781.6%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20147691380.9%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20135267682.2%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20122844476.8%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20112235774.8%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20102035775.1%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20091834574.2%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2008612575.2%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear

What to check when buying a used FORD KUGA

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

  • Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

  • Lamp and bulb faults. Switch on the side, brake, fog, and number-plate lamps.

  • Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

  • Windscreen damage. Look for chips and cracks, especially in the area swept by the wipers.

Buying a FORD KUGA?

Common problems tell you what can affect FORD KUGAs generally. VehicleScore can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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