Ford Puma MOT pass rate and common problems
93.7% of 96,367 Ford Puma MOT tests pass.
The Puma passes its MOT 93.7% of the time — well above the average across all Ford models, which sits at 76.4%.
The Ford Puma passes its MOT 93.7% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Ford Puma?
This is the average across every Ford Puma 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 drops sharply with age: the Ford Puma tested at 0–3 years pass 95.6% of the time, compared with just 64.7% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 95.6% | 38,768 | 22,128 miles |
| 3–6 years | 94.3% | 54,041 | 27,280 miles |
| 6–10 years | no tests recorded | 0 | no reading |
| 10–15 years | too few tests (1) | 1 | no reading |
| 15+ years | 64.7% | 3,557 | 79,484 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Ford Puma
The most common reason the Ford Puma fails its MOT is tyres — present in 31.1% 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 | 31.1% | Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 28.8% | Too high |
| Brakes | 23.8% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Visibility | 18.1% | Provides insufficient washer liquid |
| Suspension | 15.6% | Prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength |
| Body, chassis, structure | 7.9% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 7.7% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 5.7% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.0% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Steering | 1.0% | Gaiter missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
Buying a used Ford Puma: what to check
These checks follow the Ford Puma’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.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Ford Puma comes between 3–6 years and 15+ years old, from 94.3% to 64.7%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 91.5% down to 76.2%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Tyres
Recorded in 31.1% of failed Ford Puma MOTs. 5.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on tyres, against 2.3% at 0–3 years.
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 28.8% of failed Ford Puma MOTs. 16.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 2.3% at 0–3 years.
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. Brakes
Recorded in 23.8% of failed Ford Puma MOTs. 25.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 0.6% at 0–3 years.
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.
4. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 18.1% of failed Ford Puma MOTs. 6.1% of tests at 15+ years failed on windscreen and wipers, against 1.3% at 0–3 years.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
5. Suspension
Recorded in 15.6% of failed Ford Puma MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 32.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
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 C-MAX — 75.3% pass rate
- Ford Ecosport — 86.0% pass rate
- Ford S-MAX — 71.8% pass rate
- Ford Galaxy — 71.3% pass rate
- Ford B-Max — 78.2% pass rate
- Ford Fusion — 67.9% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Ford Puma?
- 93.7% of Ford Puma MOT tests pass, based on 96,367 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Ford Puma?
- The most common reason the Ford Puma fails its MOT is tyres — present in 31.1% 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 Puma?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Ford Puma are tyres; lights and electrics; brakes. 5.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on tyres, against 2.3% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Ford Puma?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: tyres; lights and electrics; brakes; windscreen and wipers; suspension. 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 Puma'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.