2021 Ford Kuga ST-Line X Phev CVT 2.5L Hybrid electric · AV21 EKB

The 2021 Ford Kuga ST-Line X PHEV CVT presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent MOT, conducted on 13 April 2026 at 58,358 miles, passed but flagged three advisories: slight play in the offside rear anti-roll bar linkage ball joint and multiple non-functioning LEDs across both headlamps. These are minor defects, not structural failures, yet they indicate a vehicle that has not been meticulously maintained in recent months. The trend is neither clearly worsening nor resolving. The 2025 test at 43,854 miles was entirely clean, suggesting a period of competent upkeep, but the reappearance of advisories in 2026 hints at deferred attention to electrical and suspension components. Mileage accumulation is consistent and unremarkable. Between the April 2024 test at 27,776 miles and the April 2025 test at 43,854 miles, the vehicle covered 16,078 miles in twelve months, a rate well above the annual average of roughly 11,672 miles. This spike suggests heavier use during that period, possibly long-distance commuting or sustained motorway driving, which accelerates wear on consumables and drivetrain components. The gap between April 2025 and April 2026 shows a much lower accumulation of 14,504 miles, still within normal parameters but worth noting when assessing brake and suspension condition. The recurring tyre defects across the 2024 and 2025 tests are the most telling pattern. In April 2024, both rear tyres were flagged for cuts not deep enough to reach the ply. By April 2025, the same axle had deteriorated to the point where both rear tyres failed with cuts exposing the cords. This progression suggests the vehicle was driven on damaged tyres for an extended period, or that an underlying issue such as incorrect wheel alignment, worn suspension bushes, or damaged wheel rims was never diagnosed. A buyer should inspect the rear suspension thoroughly, checking for worn trailing arm bushes, damaged coil spring seats, and any signs of impact damage to the inner wheel arches that could cause repeated tyre sidewall damage. Beyond the tyres, the 2026 advisories warrant closer inspection. Play in the offside rear anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, even if slight, can indicate broader suspension wear, particularly if the vehicle has been driven on uneven surfaces or over speed bumps at pace. The headlamp LED failures are common on this generation Kuga and typically stem from moisture ingress or failing LED driver modules rather than simple bulb replacement. A buyer should verify that all exterior lighting functions correctly, check for water condensation inside the headlamp units, and test the vehicle over rough road surfaces to detect any knocking or clunking from the rear suspension that would confirm the ball joint wear noted in the most recent test.