2021 Ford Kuga — MOT failures & pass rate
45,841 MOT tests on the 2021 Ford Kuga are in this dataset, and 92.5% of them passed. That is effectively the same as mid-size SUVs of a similar age (8.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in tyres, visibility and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — tyres (3.3%) and visibility (2.3%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, tread depth and washers — headlamp aim alone was recorded 865 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.9% in the 0-30k band and 10.0% in the 120-150k band, a 4.1-point spread.
The petrol cars hold up better: 6.0% fail against 8.3% for diesel, a 2.3-point gap across 30,384 tests.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 19.0% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 6.3% of tests failed in 2023 against 8.2% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 3.3% | 1,488 |
| 2 | Visibility | 2.3% | 1,056 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 1.8% | 802 |
| 4 | Brakes | 1.3% | 593 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 0.9% | 421 |
| 6 | Suspension | 0.8% | 363 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 865 |
| 2 | Tread depth | 729 |
| 3 | Washers | 703 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 497 |
| 5 | Wipers | 484 |
| 6 | Malfunction indicator lamp | 354 |
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 | 19.0% | 8,710 |
| 2 | Brakes | 15.0% | 6,901 |
| 3 | Other defects | 7.2% | 3,282 |
| 4 | Suspension | 6.5% | 2,998 |
| 5 | Visibility | 1.9% | 876 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.4% | 168 |
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 | 24,550 | 5.9% |
| 30-60k | 18,835 | 9.1% |
| 60-90k | 2,034 | 11.5% |
| 90-120k | 365 | 16.2% |
| 120-150k | 40 | 10.0% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 23,695 | 8.3% |
| Hybrid | 15,449 | 7.0% |
| Petrol | 6,689 | 6.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1,496 | 6.3% |
| 2024 | 22,315 | 7.0% |
| 2025 | 22,017 | 8.2% |
What to check before buying a 2021 Kuga
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: tyres accounted for 3.3% of tests. Start there.
- Tyres (3.3% 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.
- Visibility (2.3% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£150.
- Lighting & signalling (1.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
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 2021 Ford Kugas pass their MOT?
92.5% of the 45,841 2021 Ford Kuga MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 7.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2021 Ford Kuga?
Tyres, recorded in 3.3% of tests, followed by visibility (2.3%).
Does the 2021 Kuga get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.9% in the 0-30k band to 10.0% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 45,841 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.