2015 Ford Kuga 2.0L Diesel · EO65 FNK

A pattern of brake and tyre wear defects dominates this Ford Kuga's MOT record, with two failures in consecutive years and recurring advisories pointing to consumables that have reached the boundary of service life. The most recent test on 25 July 2026 returned a clean pass with no advisories, but this follows a 2025 test where a dangerous defect was recorded for nearside rear inner brake pads measuring less than 1.5 mm thick, alongside an advisory for rear brake discs described as heavily lipped, pitted and scored. In 2024 the vehicle failed on a nearside front tyre with a cut deep enough to reach the ply or cords, a major category defect. Across the 2024 and 2025 tests, advisories for front and rear brake disc wear and a non-excessive oil leak were also recorded, suggesting that braking components and possibly engine sealing have been gradually deteriorating. The clean 2026 result indicates these items were addressed before test, but the preceding two-year record shows the car was operating near component wear limits, and a prospective buyer should not interpret the latest pass as evidence of broader mechanical soundness. With approximately 64,817 miles over an 11-year lifespan, annual usage averages around 5,892 miles per year, which is low for the vehicle's age and suggests either light running or extended periods of inactivity. MOT testing has been consistent at roughly annual intervals with no significant gaps in testing history, so the vehicle has not been off the road for prolonged stretches. Low annual mileage reduces wear on high-cycle components such as the clutch, drivetrain and engine internals, but increases the risk of degradation to items affected by standing still, including brake calipers seizing, corrosion setting into brake discs and calipers, suspension bushes drying out, and rubber components such as tyres and drive belts perishing prematurely. The recorded tyre defects, including perishing on the offside front in 2025 and a deep cut on the nearside front in 2024, are consistent with a vehicle that accumulates mileage slowly enough for rubber degradation to become a factor before tread wear limits are reached. Given the brake-related history, a test drive should include firm pedal applications from moderate speed to check for any judder or vibration through the pedal, which would indicate remaining disc runout or lipping on the front axle. Listen for any scraping or grinding from the rear caliper area, particularly after the car has been parked for several hours, as seized rear caliper sliding pins are a common Kuga issue and may not have been fully resolved even with new pads. On the road, test for pulling to either side under braking and check that the handbrake holds the vehicle on an incline without excessive travel, which would indicate rear caliper mechanism wear. Inspect all four brake discs visually for a pronounced lip at the outer edge and any surface corrosion pitting, particularly on the rear discs where heavy lipping was previously recorded. The persistent oil leak advisory from 2024 warrants a physical inspection underneath the engine with a torch, checking the sump, timing cover, valve cover gasket and turbo oil feed lines for fresh seepage or staining on the undertray, as the source was not specifically identified in the MOT record. On a cold start, listen for any timing chain rattle or cam phaser noise from the front of the engine, which is a known wear item on the 1.5 and 1.6 EcoBoost units commonly fitted to this generation of Kuga. Inspect all four tyres for age-related sidewall cracking, paying particular attention to the nearside front and offside front positions where defects were previously recorded, and verify that replacements match in brand and tread depth. Finally, check for water ingress in the footwells and boot area, a common Kuga issue related to the panoramic roof and tailgate seals, and verify that the four-wheel-drive system, if fitted, engages smoothly through tight low-speed turns without binding or clonking.