2000 Ford Cougar: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2000 Ford Cougar?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2000 Ford Cougar than on all cars registered in 2000.

• Rigid brake pipes1.8× usual
  Ford Cougar

  31.1% All 2000 cars

  17.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 2.6% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.

• Sub-frame4.2× usual
  Ford Cougar

  15.1% All 2000 cars

  3.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.8%, against 0.2% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £300–£1,000 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look underneath at the frame the suspension bolts to. Flaky rust or holes are expensive to fix.

• Sidelights2.3× usual
  Ford Cougar

  10.6% All 2000 cars

  4.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 10.4%, against 4% of all 2000 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £10–£80 our estimate

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light while you work the switches: indicators, brake lights, fog lights and reversing lights.

Common 2000 Ford Cougar MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2000 Ford Cougar MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Brakes
  51% of testsRough price £150–£350

  At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

• Suspension
  43% of testsRough price £120–£400

  At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

• Lights and electrics
  31% of testsRough price £10–£80

  At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

• Tyres
  24% of testsRough price £70–£150

  At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  17% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

• Rust and bodywork
  15% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

  At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2000 Ford Cougar

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Any recent work on the rigid brake pipes? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2000 Ford Cougar as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 4.2× as often on the 2000 Ford Cougar as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 2.3× as often on the 2000 Ford Cougar as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?