2013 Ford Kuga diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2013 Ford Kuga diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2013 Ford Kuga diesel than on all cars registered in 2013.

• Sub-frame3.5× usual
  Ford Kuga

  8.7% All 2013 cars

  2.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.1% of all 2013 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.

• Sidelights1.6× usual
  Ford Kuga

  6% All 2013 cars

  3.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 5.8%, against 3.3% of all 2013 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.

• Steering rack inner joints1.7× usual
  Ford Kuga

  3% All 2013 cars

  1.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2013 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

  At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Common 2013 Ford Kuga diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2013 Ford Kuga diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  34% 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.

• Brakes
  25% 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
  24% 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
  20% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  6% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  5% 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.

Known faults on the 2013 Ford Kuga diesel

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Jumping out of gear

  Manual gearbox

  The manual gearbox can jump out of first or second.

  At the viewing: Accelerate firmly in first and second on the test drive.

  Source: Haynes: Ford Kuga (2013-2020) common problems

• Creak when pulling away

  A creak from the front when setting off usually means the driveshafts need resealing.

  At the viewing: Listen as you pull away from a standstill.

  Source: Haynes: Ford Kuga (2013-2020) common problems

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2013 Ford Kuga diesel

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

1. Any recent work on the sub-frame? (Flagged at MOT 3.5× as often on the 2013 Ford Kuga diesel as on other cars the same age.)
2. Any recent work on the sidelights? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2013 Ford Kuga diesel as on other cars the same age.)
3. Any recent work on the steering rack inner joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.7× as often on the 2013 Ford Kuga diesel as on other cars the same age.)
4. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?