Should I check the MOT history before buying a 2021 Ford Kuga?

Yes. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. A full MOT history analysis will highlight patterns that a single test result won't reveal.

What corrosion should I look for when inspecting a 2021 Ford Kuga?

Check brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that is expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.

How are tyres and brakes typically on a 2021 Ford Kuga?

Tyres and brakes are the most common advisory items on vehicles of this age. Budget for replacement if they are near the limit, and factor this into your offer price.

Is the 2021 Ford Kuga reliable?

Based on MOT data from 139 vehicles, the 2021 Ford Kuga has a first-time MOT pass rate of 91.9%, indicating generally reliable for its class. Always check the full MOT history of any specific vehicle before buying.

What are common problems with the 2021 Ford Kuga?

The most frequently recorded MOT issues on the 2021 Ford Kuga are: Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (30.6% of vehicles), Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (29.8% of vehicles), Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (25.8% of vehicles). These figures are based on actual MOT test records — search a specific registration on CarHunch to see its individual history.

Do I need an HPI check when buying a 2021 Ford Kuga?

Yes. The MOT history will not show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status. An HPI check covers these areas and should be part of any used car purchase.

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Ford Kuga (2021)

139 real MOT outcomes analysed • 91.9% first-time pass rate

2021 Ford Kuga

CarHunch analysed 139 real MOT records for the 2021 Ford Kuga. Real test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — from verified DVLA records. Updated as new MOTs are recorded.
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AI Analysis Reliability Overview Common Issues Check a Specific Reg Buyer's Checklist Pass Rate by Fuel Mileage Distribution MOT Averages Compare Models

The 2021 Ford Kuga is noticeably more reliable than average, with a 91.9% first-time pass rate well above the UK's 80% baseline—and the 3.6% rate of dangerous defects is low enough that safety shouldn't be a concern for buyers. This is a genuinely strong result for a three-year-old SUV.

At 31,263 miles median mileage, these Kugas are running light for their age, which partly explains the high pass rate but also means you're seeing vehicles in good condition. The average car will pick up 0.22 failures and 1.4 advisories per test, suggesting routine wear items rather than structural problems—check brake pads and suspension bushes on your pre-purchase inspection, but don't expect nasty surprises.

We have limited data for the 2021 Ford Kuga — treat the figures below as indicative rather than definitive.

First-time pass

91.9%

UK average ~80%

Better than average

Dangerous (ever)

3.6%

At least once in MOT history

Check this vehicle

Avg failures / car

0.22

Over 1.9 tests on record

Low

Typical mileage

31k

Middle half: 22k–41k

For context

These stats describe 139 vehicles as a group. The specific vehicle you're looking at could be the one good example or the one outlier. Run its registration to find out.

A solid choice — agree?

What tends to go wrong

Across 139 vehicles — figures show how many had each issue flagged at least once in their MOT history.

Tyre wear 30.6%

Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge · …

Budget for a full set — on a vehicle this age, tyres are expected consumables. An inspection will confirm how much is left.

Brake wear 25.8%

Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin · Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened · …

Ask the seller when brakes were last serviced. If they don't know, factor in the cost.

Other issues 10%

Nearside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt · Rear Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread · Offside Rear Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt

Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2021.

See this vehicle's full MOT history & AI hunches

Spot recurring advisories, hidden issues, and how it compares to 139 Ford Kuga cars.

Before you buy a 2021 Ford Kuga

Based on MOT data from 139 vehicles — here's what to check.

📋 Check the full MOT history. 3.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded - recurring advisories often signal problems years before they become failures.
Search the reg on CarHunch for the full MOT history, reliability stats and a free AI-powered analysis of that exact vehicle.
🔍 Brake pipes, sills and subframes are the key areas on a vehicle this age — structural rust is hard to spot without getting underneath. A mechanic will check all of this before you commit, and give you a concrete basis to negotiate on price. Inspection →
📄 Outstanding finance, insurance write-offs and clocking won't appear in the MOT records — a dedicated history check covers all of this. Our link gets you 20% off automatically. History Get 20% off via CarHunch

Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type	Vehicles	Pass rate	Avg failures
Diesel (68%)	95	90.3%	0.26

Mileage Distribution

Most 2021 Ford Kuga vehicles sit in the blue band. If the vehicle you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

31,263

typical

21,518

low mileage

41,453

high mileage

Half of all 2021 Ford Kuga vehicles fall between 21,518 and 41,453 miles.

Is the mileage you're seeing normal?

✓ Under 21,518 miles — lower than most. Could be great, or could be a vehicle that rarely moved. Check test frequency and mileage progression in the MOT history.

✓ 21,518–41,453 miles — normal for age. This is where most 2021 Ford Kugas sit.

⚠ Over 55,961 miles — higher than typical. Not necessarily a problem, but check service history and look out for advisory build-up on tyres and brakes.

MOT History Averages

1.9

Avg MOT tests per vehicle

0.22

Avg failures per vehicle

1.4

Avg advisories per vehicle

Other model years — Ford Kuga: All Kuga years → Which year to buy? →

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2022

Or browse all models: Ford →

Compare with another model

See how the 2021 Ford Kuga stacks up against a rival.

A solid choice — agree?