2010 Ford Kuga — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 62,232 MOT tests, the 2010 Ford Kuga recorded a 75.2% pass rate. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (25.3% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.5% of tests against 10.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, position lamp and steering rack — coil spring alone was recorded 5,293 times.
Mileage matters less than usual here: the 2010 Kuga fails 23.1% of the time in the 0-30k band and 26.2% at 150k+, a spread of only 3.2 points.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 24.3% of the time against 24.8% for diesel.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 31.2% 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 | 15.5% | 9,667 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.8% | 6,736 |
| 3 | Tyres | 6.0% | 3,709 |
| 4 | Steering | 5.3% | 3,295 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 5.2% | 3,234 |
| 6 | Brakes | 5.1% | 3,202 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coil spring | 5,293 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 4,817 |
| 3 | Steering rack | 2,998 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 2,652 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 2,628 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 2,196 |
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 | 31.2% | 19,401 |
| 2 | Suspension | 25.0% | 15,539 |
| 3 | Brakes | 20.2% | 12,589 |
| 4 | Other defects | 14.7% | 9,150 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 8.5% | 5,257 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 7.6% | 4,747 |
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 | 295 | 23.1% |
| 30-60k | 2,543 | 18.8% |
| 60-90k | 13,425 | 23.0% |
| 90-120k | 23,870 | 25.3% |
| 120-150k | 15,559 | 25.9% |
| 150k+ | 6,429 | 26.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 60,434 | 24.8% |
| Petrol | 1,792 | 24.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13,348 | 24.6% |
| 2022 | 13,101 | 24.4% |
| 2023 | 12,754 | 24.9% |
| 2024 | 11,964 | 25.0% |
| 2025 | 11,065 | 25.0% |
What to check before buying a 2010 Kuga
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 15.5% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (15.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.8% 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.
- Tyres (6.0% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2010 Ford Kugas pass their MOT?
75.2% of the 62,232 2010 Ford Kuga MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 24.8% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2010 Ford Kuga?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 15.5% of tests, followed by suspension (10.8%).
Does the 2010 Kuga get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 23.1% in the 0-30k band to 26.2% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 62,232 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.