2020 Ford Kuga diesel: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2020 Ford Kuga diesel?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2020 Ford Kuga diesel than on all cars registered in 2020.

• Brake pads1.8× usual
  Ford Kuga

  13.6% All 2020 cars

  7.7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 2%, against 1.4% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £75–£175 (one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for squealing or grinding when braking, and look through the wheel at how much pad is left.

• Shock absorbers2.1× usual
  Ford Kuga

  3.4% All 2020 cars

  1.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.3%, against 0.3% of all 2020 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

Common 2020 Ford Kuga diesel MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2020 Ford Kuga diesel MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  22% 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
  18% 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
  6% 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.

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  4% of testsRough price £15–£250

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

• Lights and electrics
  3% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Seats and seatbelts
  3% of testsRough price £80–£250

  At the viewing: Pull each seatbelt sharply. It should lock, and retract cleanly.

Known faults on the 2020 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.

• Oil pump belt that runs in oil (2.0 EcoBlue diesel)

  2.0 EcoBlue diesel (most Ford 2.0 diesels from about 2018)

  The 2.0 EcoBlue diesel drives its oil pump with a belt that runs in the engine oil. As it wears it can shed rubber and cut oil pressure, which can wreck the engine. Ford has shortened the change interval on the Transit to 6 years or 100,000 miles.

  At the viewing: Ask when the oil pump belt was last changed, and watch for an oil-pressure warning light.

  Source: Parkers: everything you need to know about the Ford wet belt

• Oil and fuel leak recall

  All engines

  A 2022 recall covered leaks on Kugas built up to summer 2022.

  At the viewing: Look and sniff for oil or fuel, and check the recall status.

  Source: Auto Express: used Ford Kuga Mk3 review

• Glass roof recall

  Cars with a glass roof

  A 2022 recall covered glass roofs that could come loose, mainly on 2021 cars.

  At the viewing: Check the roof's fit and seals, and the recall status.

  Source: Auto Express: used Ford Kuga Mk3 review

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2020 Ford Kuga diesel

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

1. Has the oil pump belt been changed, and is there a full service history?
2. Has the leak recall been done?
3. Has the roof recall been done?
4. Any recent work on the brake pads? (Flagged at MOT 1.8× as often on the 2020 Ford Kuga diesel as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 2.1× as often on the 2020 Ford Kuga diesel as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?