86.7%
pass rate across 113,311 tests
84.7% first-time pass rate
63,893 mi median at test
Ford Kuga 2016 vs 2019
The same model, 3 years apart, compared on 245,431 real MOT tests. The raw pass rate mostly measures age; the like-for-like row and the mileage bands show what survives that adjustment.
90.0%
pass rate across 132,120 tests
89.0% first-time pass rate
35,734 mi median at test
The short answer
The 2019 Kuga passes more — but most of it is age
Across 245,431 tests, the 2019 Kuga passes 90.0% of MOTs and the 2016 86.7%. The 2019 cars are 3 years newer and were tested at a median 35,734 miles against 63,893, so part of that gap is simply age and use. Against what their age and mileage predict, the 2019 is +0.5 points and the 2016 +2.7 — a like-for-like gap of −2.2 points. Most of the raw advantage disappears once the two are matched. Typical repair bills are £26–£64 on the 2016 and £23–£56 on the 2019. The two bills are close. Repairs under £30 account for 51% of the 2016's recorded faults and 56% of the 2019's. The most common failing part is headlight bulb on the 2016 and brake pads set on the 2019.
- Pass rate: 86.7% vs 90.0%
- Tests: 113,311 vs 132,120
- Like-for-like: +2.7 vs +0.5 pts
- Median mileage: 63,893 vs 35,734 mi
- Typical repair: £26–£64 vs £23–£56
- Cheap fixes: 51% vs 56%
| Measure | 2016 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| MOT tests on record | 113,311 | 132,120 |
| Pass rate, all MOTs | 86.7% | 90.0% stronger figure |
| First-time pass rate | 84.7% | 89.0% stronger figure |
| Against the UK average | +2.7 pts stronger figure | +0.5 pts |
| Like-for-like, age and mileage adjusted | +2.7 pts stronger figure | +0.5 pts |
| Average mileage at test | 66,433 mi | 38,241 mi |
| Median mileage at test | 63,893 mi | 35,734 mi |
| Typical repair bill | £26–£64 | £23–£56 stronger figure |
| Repairs under £30 | 51% | 56% stronger figure |
| Most common failing part | Headlight Bulb | Brake Pads Set |
| Variants recorded | 2 | 3 |
| Main fuel | Diesel 85% | Diesel 56% |
A ✓ marks the stronger figure in each row. It compares the two model years, not either one against the national average.
What goes wrong most often
The most common priced failures on each year, as a share of that year's tests. Repair costs are estimates from UK parts data, not quotes.
2016 Kuga
- Position lamp not working 2.4% £5–£25
- Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick 1.6% £18–£45
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view 1.5% £80–£200
- Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively 1.3% £8–£22
- Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 1.2% £45–£95
2019 Kuga
- Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick 1.6% £18–£45
- Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively 1.5% £8–£22
- Wipers blade defective 1.3% £8–£22
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view 1.1% £80–£200
- Has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords 1.1% £45–£95
Does the gap hold at higher mileage?
Pass rate by the mileage recorded at test. If the lead shrinks in the high-mileage bands, part of the headline difference was a younger, lower-mileage sample.
| Mileage | 2016 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 0–30,000 mi | 93.3% · 4,961 tests | 92.8% · 47,347 tests |
| 30,000–60,000 mi | 89.8% · 43,905 tests | 89.1% · 70,199 tests |
| 60,000–90,000 mi | 85.0% · 47,011 tests | 85.9% · 12,862 tests |
| 90,000–120,000 mi | 81.7% · 14,041 tests | 84.0% · 1,354 tests |
| 120,000+ mi | 80.0% · 3,292 tests | 80.6% · 346 tests |
What to check before you buy
2016 Ford Kuga
- Position lamp not working — 2.4% of tests · £5–£25
- Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick — 1.6% of tests · £18–£45
- Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view — 1.5% of tests · £80–£200
- Check the MOT history for the exact vehicle, not just the model year.
2019 Ford Kuga
- Brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick — 1.6% of tests · £18–£45
- Wipers does not clear the windscreen effectively — 1.5% of tests · £8–£22
- Wipers blade defective — 1.3% of tests · £8–£22
- Check the MOT history for the exact vehicle, not just the model year.
Compare another pair of years for the Ford Kuga? Pick two years →
Compare a different pair of years? Pick two years of the Ford Kuga →
Or put the Kuga against another model: Compare the Ford Kuga side by side →