2016 Ford Kuga 2.0L Diesel · BW65 XTD

The January 2027 MOT at 76,147 miles returned a pass after an initial failure two days prior, indicating reactive rather than proactive maintenance. The failure-to-pass sequence reveals a cluster of deferred electrical and braking issues: inoperative offside stop lamp, non-functioning windscreen washer, a malfunctioning tyre pressure monitoring system, and critically worn brake pads front and rear. The rear pads had thinned below 1.5mm, while the fronts were flagged as wearing thin. This pattern suggests the vehicle was presented for test with multiple known faults rather than being maintained to standard throughout the year. The sole advisory on the pass certificate, a nearside registration plate lamp fault, points to lingering minor electrical attention still required. Mileage accumulation has been steady and unremarkable. The vehicle covered 8,278 miles between January 2025 and January 2026, and 8,280 miles between January 2024 and January 2025, with 7,722 miles logged between the December 2023 failure and January 2024 pass. No significant gaps appear in the annual testing cycle. The 76,147-mile total at ten years of age sits comfortably within expected parameters for a vehicle of this class, neither indicating excessive use nor prolonged dormancy. The consistent yearly mileage does, however, mean consumable components have been subject to regular wear cycles without extended rest periods. The December 2023 failure at 60,170 miles for exposed tyre ply and edge-worn nearside rear rubber raises a flag about tyre care standards. Tyres degrading to cord exposure indicate either prolonged running at incorrect pressures, alignment issues, or simply neglect. This single event, combined with the 2026 brake pad neglect, forms a picture of maintenance being addressed only at point of legal requirement. A prospective buyer should prioritise inspection of the braking system beyond pad thickness, specifically examining disc condition for scoring or lip formation given the pads were run to minimum thickness. The tyre pressure monitoring system fault, though cleared for the pass, warrants verification that the repair was thorough rather than a reset; intermittent TPMS faults on this era of Ford often trace to failing sensors or wiring corrosion. The repeated electrical faults, stop lamp and washer pump, suggest checking the fusebox and earth points for moisture ingress, a known vulnerability. Suspension and underbody corrosion should be assessed given the vehicle's age, though no structural advisories have yet been recorded. Requesting receipts for the 2026 remedial work would confirm whether the brake pads were replaced with quality components and whether the TPMS received proper diagnostic attention.