2015 Ford Kuga 2.0L Diesel · FD15 HKA

The defining mechanical story of this Ford Kuga is a relatively short but flagged history centred on front-end tyre condition and front windscreen wiper effectiveness, rather than the structural, suspension or braking deterioration one might expect of an older SUV. Across the recorded MOT history, the most recent test on 17 August 2022 produced a Pass with advisories, but on the same day a separate failure was issued for the nearside front wiper not clearing the windscreen effectively, accompanied by the same pair of front-tyre edge-wear advisories. Earlier, the 30 October 2020 test resulted in a Dangerous failure for an offside front tyre with ply or cords exposed and a Major failure for a nearside front tyre with a cut reaching the ply or cords, alongside a wiper failure on the offside front. The pattern shows that when defects have been recorded, they have clustered around the front tyres and front wiper blades, while the body, undercarriage, suspension, exhaust, lighting and brake components have returned clean results throughout the recorded period. Against an age of roughly eleven years, the recorded mileage of 63,326 miles equates to an annual accumulation of approximately 5,750 miles, which sits at the lower end of typical usage for a family SUV of this vintage. The MOT record itself covers a relatively compressed testing window from May 2018 to August 2022, after which the vehicle does not appear to have been presented for testing on the public record. Mechanically, this low annual mileage can mean reduced wear on high-cycle components such as the clutch, brake friction material and internal engine wear surfaces, but it also raises the possibility of extended standing periods. Vehicles that spend long spells stationary commonly suffer dry-rotting of tyre sidewalls, deterioration of brake caliper slide pins and seizure of rear brake mechanisms, degradation of fluid seals, and underbody corrosion in areas that rely on regular washing-off of road salts. The chronic front-tyre wear pattern flagged in 2020 and again in 2022 is, however, more consistent with a geometry or suspension issue than with simple age-related deterioration. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection points are those actually flagged in the record. The 2022 advisories for both front tyres worn close to the legal limit and on the edge should prompt a close inspection of the current front tyres for uneven shoulder wear, particularly on the inner or outer edges, as this typically points to worn front suspension bushes, tired coil springs allowing excessive negative camber, or worn track rod ends and wishbone bushes. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking from the front end over speed humps and rough tarmac, and feel for vagueness or wander in the steering, as well as any pulling to one side under braking. The rear brake pad advisory from May 2018 means the original rear pads were already nearing the end of their useful life at that point, so the current calipers, sliders and handbrake mechanism should be checked for free operation and the electronic parking brake function confirmed on an incline. The two wiper failures on opposite sides of the vehicle suggest the wiper linkage or motor assembly, rather than simply perished blades, may be at fault, and buyers should confirm the wipers park correctly and sweep the full swept area without smearing. Finally, given the relatively low recorded mileage and the gap in MOT history since August 2022, a thorough pre-purchase inspection is strongly advisable. Check the underside, subframe, brake pipes, fuel lines and suspension arms for surface corrosion, as Ford products of this era can develop rust in the rear wheel arches, floor pans and suspension mounting areas. Inspect all four tyres for age-related sidewall cracking regardless of tread depth, and confirm the braking system has been actively used rather than allowed to seize through standing. Verify that the cooling system, power steering fluid and dual-clutch or automatic transmission fluid have been changed in line with Ford's intervals, as the MOT record does not cover service history and low annual mileage does not exempt these items from time-based degradation. A road test should include firm braking from around 40 mph to check for pull, vibration or ABS intervention irregularities, and the vehicle should be driven over uneven surfaces at low speed to expose any worn bushes or droplink knocks that the MOT process may not have captured.