2000 Ford Puma — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 4,264 MOT tests, the 2000 Ford Puma recorded a 72.6% pass rate. That is effectively the same as small SUVs of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: suspension, recorded in 15.4% of tests against 11.2% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, prescribed areas and headlamp aim — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 516 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 14.4% in the 0-30k band and 38.0% in the 150k+ band, a 23.7-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 35.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 28.5% in 2021 to 23.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 15.4% | 657 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.2% | 478 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 9.3% | 395 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.4% | 359 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 4.5% | 194 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 4.5% | 192 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 516 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 246 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 231 |
| 4 | Catalyst emissions | 209 |
| 5 | Pins and bushes | 204 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 189 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 35.1% | 1,497 |
| 2 | Brakes | 34.1% | 1,454 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 23.2% | 990 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.8% | 842 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 18.1% | 771 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 9.9% | 421 |
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 | 188 | 14.4% |
| 30-60k | 888 | 21.3% |
| 60-90k | 1,493 | 27.9% |
| 90-120k | 1,071 | 28.6% |
| 120-150k | 455 | 36.5% |
| 150k+ | 163 | 38.0% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,108 | 28.5% |
| 2022 | 971 | 28.2% |
| 2023 | 852 | 27.1% |
| 2024 | 723 | 28.1% |
| 2025 | 610 | 23.8% |
What to check before buying a 2000 Puma
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 15.4% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (15.4% 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.
- Brakes (11.2% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (9.3% 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 2000 Ford Pumas pass their MOT?
72.6% of the 4,264 2000 Ford Puma MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2000 Ford Puma?
Suspension, recorded in 15.4% of tests, followed by brakes (11.2%).
Does the 2000 Puma get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.4% in the 0-30k band to 38.0% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,264 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.