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Ford Kuga reliability by build year

Coverage 2008-present3 named generationsfamily SUVSUVDIESEL / HYBRID ELECTRIC / PETROL
At a glance

Ford Kuga built around 2018: about average at the MOT

Ford Kugas built around 2018 fail their MOT about as often as similar cars the same age.

Check a Ford Kuga by number plate

Key figure

14% of MOT tests on Ford Kugas built around 2018 ended in a fail (retests included), against 16% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Ford Kugas built around 2018 involves the tyres.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Ford Kuga's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pads

High priority

Ask when the pads were last replaced and check the warning-light history.

Brake discs

High priority

Ask for the date and mileage of the last disc replacement; visually check for a deep wear lip and rust pitting on each disc.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Kuga's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Kuga Mk3

Mk3 (2020-present)

Average
HYBRID ELECTRICPETROLDIESEL

10.5% fail rate, built around 2021 (4 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 9 MOTs, 11.4%)

From 14,552 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Kuga Mk2

Mk2 (2013-2019)

Good
HYBRID ELECTRICPETROLDIESEL

14.1% fail rate, built around 2018 (7 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

From 42,691 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Kuga Mk1

Mk1 (2008-2012)

Average
PETROLDIESEL

28.7% fail rate, built around 2012 (13 years old)

Fails more often than the average car this age (about 3 in 10 MOTs, 27.7%)

From 12,384 MOT tests at this ageView details →

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Ford Kuga.

See every build year for the Ford Kuga

Side-by-side

Ford Kuga generations compared

Each generation is shown at 7 years old if it has at least 100 MOT tests at that age. If not, or if its cars are too new to be 7, it's shown at another age. We try ages close to 7 first. Newer generations have fewer years of data.

GenerationRatingFail rate
Mk3 (2020-present)
Average
Average10.5%built around 2021 (4 years old)from 14,552 MOT tests at this age
Mk2 (2013-2019)
Good
Good14.1%built around 2018 (7 years old)from 42,691 MOT tests at this age
Mk1 (2008-2012)
Average
Average28.7%built around 2012 (13 years old)from 12,384 MOT tests at this age

Each row is one generation of the Kuga, shown at the age printed under its fail rate. So rows can be different ages. Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail, retests included. A rating is given only when there are enough tests to place the fail rate in one rating band with 95% confidence.

By age

Ford Kuga fail rate by age

This chart combines every Ford Kuga ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
3 yearsbuilt around 2022
25,3247.9%
4 yearsbuilt around 2021
22,87710.6%
5 yearsbuilt around 2020
29,28613.1%
6 yearsbuilt around 2019
45,28413.8%
7 yearsbuilt around 2018
42,69114.1%
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
41,95115.7%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
41,08719.1%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
34,46521.8%
11 yearsbuilt around 2014
22,91922.7%
12 yearsbuilt around 2013
13,94624.7%
13 yearsbuilt around 2012
12,38428.7%
14 yearsbuilt around 2011
11,85729.9%
15 yearsbuilt around 2010
11,26030.0%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
6,15629.1%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
1,05128.5%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 15 years old.

Where it ranks

Where the Ford Kuga stacks up

Three ways to compare the same cars, built around 2018 (7 years old). The fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests, and 1st has the lowest fail rate. Only models with at least 500 MOT tests at this age are ranked. How we count fail rates

Against other Ford models

2nd of 17

2nd lowest fail rate of 17 Ford models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the lowest third

Against other SUVs

42nd of 89

42nd lowest fail rate of 89 SUVs with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age.

In the middle third

Against the UK average

14.1%

The share of this model's MOT tests at this age that ended in a fail.

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 6 MOTs, 16.6%)

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 7-year-old Ford Kugas

These issues come from 7-year-old Ford Kugas, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelPlenty of data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    20.4%
    Advisory: 13,312Fail: 1,186 (8% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pads wearing thin

    15.7%
    Advisory: 7,497Fail: 1,233 (14% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    10.5%
    Advisory: 6,309Fail: 606 (9% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened

    8.8%
    Advisory: 4,884Fail: 87 (2% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    3.6%
    Advisory: 2,211Fail: 229 (9% of the times it was found)

Based on 42,691 MOT tests on 7-year-old Ford Kugas, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 7-year-old Ford Kugas notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelPlenty of data
  1. Brakes + Tyres39%
  2. Other + Tyres18%
  3. Brakes + Other13%
  4. Suspension + Tyres13%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 11,162 MOT tests on Ford Kuga cars built around 2018 (7 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

94%of this model's cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

144 recalls in all

41 of the 144 Ford Kuga recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 12 Critical
  • 29 more

Top concerns

  • 26S62 Kuga – EDS wiring touch
  • 25S54 Kuga S-Max and galaxy - powertrain control module (PCM) software update
  • 25S21 Kuga - powertrain control module (PCM) software update

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

Like-for-like

Other SUVs to compare

Other SUVs to compare

  1. 1

    Mitsubishi Eclipse

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    12.4%

    No clear edge over the Ford Kuga on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    3,969 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  2. 2

    Volkswagen T-Roc

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    0.9%
    Dangerous
    3.9%

    Lower fail rate: 9.6%, against 14.1% for the Ford Kuga, both built around 2018.

    9,233 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  3. 3

    Lexus RX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    7.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1.3%
    Dangerous
    2.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    90.4%

    Lower fail rate: 7.6%, against 14.1% for the Ford Kuga, both built around 2018.

    1,815 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

  4. 4

    Lexus NX

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    9.5%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    1%
    Dangerous
    2.7%
    Still registered at 10 years
    88.4%

    Lower fail rate: 9.5%, against 14.1% for the Ford Kuga, both built around 2018.

    4,706 MOT tests on cars built around 2018

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2018 (7 years old), the Ford Kuga across all generations combined fails MOTs slightly less often than typical for this age. It has the 2nd lowest fail rate of 17 Ford models with enough MOT tests to rank, at this age. This is based on 42,691 7-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Ford Kuga ever sold: 362,538 tests. The main figures are for cars built around 2018 (7 years old): 42,691 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.