2009 Ford Kuga 2.0L Diesel · AM09 APY

With virtually no recorded defects across its entire MOT history, this seventeen-year-old Ford Kuga presents a roadworthiness profile defined by consistent compliance rather than any emerging mechanical pattern. The most recent test on 23 January 2026 was recorded as both a pass and a failure on the same date, a circumstance that typically indicates a vehicle was presented with a defect, rectified during the test window, and then re-presented for a partial retest within the same day, resulting in a clean pass. This same dual pass/fail pattern is also evident from the February 2025 test, suggesting the Kuga has historically been borderline on initial presentation yet always cleared on retest. The earlier 2024 test passed cleanly without any advisories, and given the absence of recorded corrosion, suspension wear, brake component deterioration, or exhaust concerns throughout the entire file, the vehicle demonstrates a stable and unproblematic compliance record with no observable downward trend. The recorded mileage of 110,812 miles spread across seventeen years equates to an annual accumulation of around 6,518 miles, which is broadly typical for a vehicle of this age and consistent with moderate mixed use rather than high-mileage motorway work or prolonged periods standing idle. There are no multi-year gaps between tests that would suggest the vehicle was off the road, and the cadence of annual MOT entries indicates continuous registration and usage. Mechanically, this steady accumulation rate is favourable: it tends to mean consumables such as brake pads, discs, tyres, and suspension bushes have experienced ordinary wear rather than the accelerated degradation seen on high-mileage examples, and the engine and gearbox have not been subjected to excessive short-trip stop-start cycles that promote oil contamination or carbon build-up. The Ford Kuga's 2.0 TDCi and 2.5 petrol variants are known to be reasonably robust when mileage is spread evenly over their service life. For a prospective buyer, the absence of advisories is encouraging but not a substitute for a physical inspection, particularly given that the MOT file does not flag the components most commonly affected on this model as it ages. Pay particular attention to the rear suspension trailing arm bushes and the front lower control arm bushes, which are known wear points on the Kuga and can produce clonking noises over speed humps and uneven road surfaces; any knocking from the rear under acceleration or over bumps warrants close examination. On the test drive, listen for any diesel knock or timing chain rattle from a cold start if fitted with the 2.0 TDCi, and check for clutch slip or judder under high load in higher gears. Inspect the underbody for any surface corrosion on subframe and suspension components, as MOT testing would not typically record cosmetic surface rust at this age. Given the clean paper trail, a thorough pre-purchase inspection should focus on the items the MOT does not cover, particularly the clutch operation, the condition of the dual-clutch automatic transmission if so equipped, and any signs of oil seepage from the power steering rack, which is a known weakness on earlier Kugas. On the road, check for vibration through the steering wheel under braking, which would indicate warped front brake discs, and feel for any pulling to one side that could suggest a binding caliper or uneven tyre wear. Verify that the four-wheel-drive system engages smoothly if tested on a loose surface, as the rear differential clutch pack on Haldex-equipped models can fail without producing obvious MOT defects. Finally, confirm the service history shows timely replacement of the timing belt on the diesel variants at the recommended interval, as a skipped replacement on this engine results in catastrophic damage.