Ford Kuga ST-LN MOT pass rate and common problems
95.2% of 2,561 Ford Kuga ST-LN MOT tests pass.
The Kuga ST-LN passes its MOT 95.2% of the time — well above the average across all Ford models, which sits at 76.4%.
The Ford Kuga ST-LN passes its MOT 95.2% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Ford Kuga ST-LN?
This is the average across every Ford Kuga ST-LN in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Ford’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate stays relatively stable with age: 96.6% at 0–3 years versus 95.1% at 3–6 years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 96.6% | 148 | 23,497 miles |
| 3–6 years | 95.1% | 2,413 | 31,670 miles |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 15+ years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Ford Kuga ST-LN
The most common reason the Ford Kuga ST-LN fails its MOT is tyres — present in 37.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 37.6% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 36.5% | Too high |
| Visibility | 17.6% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Brakes | 10.6% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.6% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Suspension | 7.1% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Body, chassis, structure | 1.8% | Panel damaged and likely to cause injury |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.8% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Road Wheels | 0.6% | Fixing missing |
Buying a used Ford Kuga ST-LN: what to check
These checks follow the Ford Kuga ST-LN’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 0–30,000 mi to 30,000–60,000 mi: 96.3% down to 93.8%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 37.6% of failed Ford Kuga ST-LN MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 36.5% of failed Ford Kuga ST-LN MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 17.6% of failed Ford Kuga ST-LN MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 1.2% of tests at 3–6 years failed on windscreen and wipers.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
4. Brakes
Recorded in 10.6% of failed Ford Kuga ST-LN MOTs.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
5. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 7.6% of failed Ford Kuga ST-LN MOTs.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Ford service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Ford models
- Ford Capri — 84.5% pass rate
- Ford Mustang Mach-E — 94.0% pass rate
- Ford Tourneo Custom 320 Tnium — 86.3% pass rate
- Ford Transit 350 Leader — 88.1% pass rate
- Ford Freedom — 85.0% pass rate
- Ford Roller Team — 93.4% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Ford Kuga ST-LN?
- 95.2% of Ford Kuga ST-LN MOT tests pass, based on 2,561 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Ford Kuga ST-LN?
- The most common reason the Ford Kuga ST-LN fails its MOT is tyres — present in 37.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords".
- What are the common problems with the Ford Kuga ST-LN?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Ford Kuga ST-LN are tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers.
- What should I check when buying a used Ford Kuga ST-LN?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; lights and electrics; windscreen and wipers; brakes; exhaust, emissions and leaks. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Ford Kuga ST-LN's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Ford service history guide for how to check and keep one.