Used car guide

2011 Ford Kuga petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the petrol Ford Kuga first registered in 2011 (petrol cars only): we looked at the 516 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

516MOTs of 2011 petrol cars, done in 2023–2025
63%pass first time (all 2011 cars: 62%)
7,000typical miles a year
36%had tyres flagged

Common 2011 Ford Kuga petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Ford Kuga petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Tyres
    36% 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.

  • Suspension
    35% 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
    24% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Brakes
    21% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    8% 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.

  • Exhaust and emissions
    8% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

    At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Ford Kuga petrol

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

  1. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Ford Kuga?

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Other years

Every year of the Ford Kuga compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2026–Too new for MOT data
2025–Too new for MOT data
2024–Too new for MOT data
20231,419Tyres 14%
202228,082Tyres 19%
202142,414Tyres 22%
202045,754Tyres 22%
2019120,852Tyres 26%
2018114,082Tyres 30%
2017109,555Tyres 30%
201698,930Tyres 31%
201591,248Tyres 32%
201467,264Tyres 34%
201337,769Tyres 34%
201227,782Tyres 36%
201027,535Suspension 41%
200921,787Suspension 41%
20087,533Suspension 41%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Ford Kuga cars first registered in 2011. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score