2001 Ford Puma — MOT failures & pass rate
4,904 MOT tests on the 2001 Ford Puma are in this dataset, and 69.7% of them passed. Against small SUVs of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), the 2001 Puma comes out 2.1pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 18.0% of all tests — 5.5 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, prescribed areas and rigid brake pipes — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 928 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 0-30k one: 36.4% versus 12.7%.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: brakes was flagged on 39.0% of tests without failing them.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 31.7% in 2021 to 27.7% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 18.0% | 882 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.5% | 612 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 10.5% | 514 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 9.0% | 441 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 5.4% | 265 |
| 6 | Visibility | 5.3% | 258 |
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 | 928 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 412 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 317 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 294 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 284 |
| 6 | Flexible brake hoses | 262 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 39.0% | 1,913 |
| 2 | Suspension | 38.3% | 1,879 |
| 3 | Emissions & environmental | 27.3% | 1,337 |
| 4 | Tyres | 25.3% | 1,241 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 16.8% | 823 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 13.9% | 680 |
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 | 165 | 12.7% |
| 30-60k | 1,035 | 22.1% |
| 60-90k | 1,831 | 31.5% |
| 90-120k | 1,280 | 35.7% |
| 120-150k | 458 | 33.2% |
| 150k+ | 129 | 36.4% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,437 | 31.7% |
| 2022 | 1,148 | 32.8% |
| 2023 | 914 | 28.8% |
| 2024 | 763 | 27.7% |
| 2025 | 642 | 27.7% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Puma
On a 2001 Puma, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 18.0% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (18.0% 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.
- Brakes (12.5% 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 (10.5% 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 2001 Ford Pumas pass their MOT?
69.7% of the 4,904 2001 Ford Puma MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 30.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Ford Puma?
Suspension, recorded in 18.0% of tests, followed by brakes (12.5%).
Does the 2001 Puma get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 12.7% in the 0-30k band to 36.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 4,904 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.