2023 Ford Puma — MOT failures & pass rate
2,371 MOT tests on the 2023 Ford Puma are in this dataset, and 96.6% of them passed. Small SUVs of a similar age fail 5.1% of the time, so this is 1.7pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (1.7%) and tyres (1.6%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, washers and brake pads — headlamp aim alone was recorded 37 times.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: tyres was flagged on 8.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 1.7% | 40 |
| 2 | Tyres | 1.6% | 38 |
| 3 | Visibility | 0.8% | 19 |
| 4 | Brakes | 0.5% | 11 |
| 5 | Seat belts & restraints | 0.3% | 6 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 0.1% | 3 |
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 | 37 |
| 2 | Washers | 21 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 9 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 9 |
| 5 | Side repeaters | 6 |
| 6 | Front fog lamps | 3 |
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 | 8.1% | 191 |
| 2 | Brakes | 2.6% | 62 |
| 3 | Other defects | 2.4% | 56 |
| 4 | Visibility | 0.5% | 13 |
| 5 | Steering | 0.5% | 11 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 0.4% | 9 |
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 | 2,075 | 3.1% |
| 30-60k | 281 | 5.3% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 1,975 | 3.6% |
| Hybrid | 396 | 2.0% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 39 | 0.0% |
| 2025 | 2,332 | 3.4% |
What to check before buying a 2023 Puma
On a 2023 Puma, lighting & signalling is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 1.7% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Lighting & signalling (1.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (1.6% 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 (0.8% 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.
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 2023 Ford Pumas pass their MOT?
96.6% of the 2,371 2023 Ford Puma MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 3.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2023 Ford Puma?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 1.7% of tests, followed by tyres (1.6%).
Does the 2023 Puma get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 3.1% in the 0-30k band to 5.3% in the 30-60k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 2,371 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.