2011 Ford Kuga — MOT failures & pass rate
58,286 MOT tests on the 2011 Ford Kuga are in this dataset, and 76.4% of them passed. Mid-size SUVs of a similar age fail at 23.9%, so the 2011 Kuga sits squarely on the average. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (13.2%) and suspension (11.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are coil spring, position lamp and tread depth — coil spring alone was recorded 5,648 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 22.6% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 26.7% once past 150k.
Fuel type barely separates them — petrol fails 22.2% of the time against 23.6% for diesel.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 30.5% of tests without failing them.
The trend is worsening — 22.6% of tests failed in 2021 against 25.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 13.2% | 7,684 |
| 2 | Suspension | 11.6% | 6,734 |
| 3 | Tyres | 5.9% | 3,434 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.9% | 2,837 |
| 5 | Steering | 3.6% | 2,085 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.5% | 2,048 |
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 | 5,648 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 3,524 |
| 3 | Tread depth | 2,355 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 2,166 |
| 5 | Stop lamp | 1,754 |
| 6 | Brake pads | 1,622 |
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 | 30.5% | 17,767 |
| 2 | Suspension | 22.8% | 13,278 |
| 3 | Brakes | 19.3% | 11,225 |
| 4 | Other defects | 15.8% | 9,192 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 8.6% | 5,028 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 8.3% | 4,808 |
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 | 389 | 22.6% |
| 30-60k | 4,090 | 18.7% |
| 60-90k | 16,804 | 22.0% |
| 90-120k | 21,336 | 24.3% |
| 120-150k | 11,038 | 25.3% |
| 150k+ | 4,525 | 26.7% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 57,127 | 23.6% |
| Petrol | 1,159 | 22.2% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,108 | 22.6% |
| 2022 | 11,974 | 22.8% |
| 2023 | 11,906 | 24.0% |
| 2024 | 11,339 | 23.9% |
| 2025 | 10,959 | 25.0% |
What to check before buying a 2011 Kuga
On a 2011 Kuga, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 13.2% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (13.2% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (11.6% 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 (5.9% 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 2011 Ford Kugas pass their MOT?
76.4% of the 58,286 2011 Ford Kuga MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 23.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2011 Ford Kuga?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 13.2% of tests, followed by suspension (11.6%).
Does the 2011 Kuga get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 22.6% in the 0-30k band to 26.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 58,286 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.