2012 Ford Kuga 2.0L Diesel · DRS 304J

This Ford Kuga sailed through its most recent MOT in June 2025, but the long list of advisories tells a clear story of a car that needs close attention now. The test passed, yet the corrosion on the front and rear sub-frames and the rear anti-roll bar has been flagged every year since at least 2021 – and it’s now joined by corrosion on all rear suspension arms. That pattern suggests the underbody rust is gradually spreading, not an acute failure, but it has become a widespread issue. The steering rack inner joints have also been a recurring advisory, first noted in 2022 and now present on both sides in the 2025 test. This is a safety-critical component – play in the rack can cause vagueness or wandering on the road. Combined with the corrosion, it indicates that this car has lived in a climate where salt and moisture have taken a toll on the running gear. The 2022 failure for the engine warning light (MIL) was a one-off, likely resolved, and not repeated. Mileage of roughly 9,300 miles per year is entirely typical for a 14-year-old car, so there’s no strong signal of abuse or prolonged standing. The steady annual mileage suggests consistent use, but the corrosion is more about age and environment than mileage. The biggest concern is the accumulating underbody rust – over time, “corroded but not seriously weakened” can tip into structural failure.