2009 Ford Kuga — MOT failures & pass rate
50,414 MOT tests on the 2009 Ford Kuga are in this dataset, and 75.3% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail 26.3% of the time, so this is 1.6pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and emissions & environmental.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.2% of tests against 10.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are position lamp, coil spring and headlamp aim — position lamp alone was recorded 3,722 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.7% once past 150k.
The petrol cars hold up better: 22.6% fail against 24.7% for diesel, a 2.1-point gap across 50,408 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 31.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 15.2% | 7,669 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.0% | 5,054 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 6.1% | 3,097 |
| 4 | Tyres | 5.8% | 2,922 |
| 5 | Brakes | 5.5% | 2,750 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.0% | 2,521 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Position lamp | 3,722 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 3,594 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 2,357 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 2,135 |
| 5 | Steering rack | 2,025 |
| 6 | On or after 01/07/2008 | 2,002 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 31.1% | 15,674 |
| 2 | Suspension | 26.1% | 13,162 |
| 3 | Brakes | 20.8% | 10,503 |
| 4 | Other defects | 14.8% | 7,486 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 10.5% | 5,309 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.3% | 4,192 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 267 | 20.6% |
| 30-60k | 1,415 | 19.1% |
| 60-90k | 8,083 | 22.2% |
| 90-120k | 18,842 | 24.6% |
| 120-150k | 14,922 | 26.2% |
| 150k+ | 6,735 | 25.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 49,648 | 24.7% |
| Petrol | 760 | 22.6% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,366 | 24.3% |
| 2022 | 10,932 | 24.0% |
| 2023 | 10,473 | 25.2% |
| 2024 | 9,443 | 25.1% |
| 2025 | 8,200 | 25.1% |
What to check before buying a 2009 Kuga
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.2% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.0% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Emissions & environmental (6.1% of tests): More common on older diesels (DPF/EGR) — can be expensive; check for warning lights and smoke. Typical repair: £100–£600.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2009 Ford Kugas pass their MOT?
75.3% of the 50,414 2009 Ford Kuga MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2009 Ford Kuga?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.2% of tests, followed by suspension (10.0%).
Does the 2009 Kuga get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.6% in the 0-30k band to 25.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 50,414 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.