2017 Ford Kuga 2.0L Diesel · FN17 EWE

The vehicle presents a concerning roadworthiness profile characterized by a shift from clean inspections to reactive maintenance. While it passed its most recent test on January 2026 at 83,162 miles, this followed a comprehensive failure just one week prior at 82,853 miles. The failure revealed a multitude of defects across the steering, suspension, braking, and electrical systems, suggesting that the owner only addresses faults when forced to do so by the MOT tester rather than following a proactive preventative maintenance schedule. The mileage pattern remains consistent with typical light-duty use, averaging approximately 9,240 miles per year over its nine-year life. There is a significant gap of 16,000 miles between the January 2025 test (67,160 miles) and the January 2026 tests (83,162 miles). This accumulation of mileage, combined with the appearance of multiple mechanical failures in the early 2026 test, indicates that the vehicle was driven extensively without a recent professional mechanical check, leading to the subsequent failures. A buyer must conduct a thorough physical inspection of the suspension geometry and steering components. The 2026 failure flagged play in the steering rack inner joints and a worn rear lower arm bush, which likely correlates with the severe inner-edge tyre wear observed on all four wheels. This suggests a significant alignment issue or worn suspension components that will continue to prematurely destroy tyres if not rectified. Furthermore, the recurring mention of thin front brake pads in 2023 and 2024 indicates a long history of neglecting basic consumable service items. Further attention should be paid to the offside rear shock absorber, which showed oil misting, and the damaged brake cable noted in the latest failure. The electrical fault regarding the trailer socket and wiper blades also requires verification to ensure the repairs were completed correctly. Given the trend of multiple appearing simultaneously during the recent failure, a professional pre-purchase inspection is essential to ensure no other hidden mechanical issues exist beyond the items flagged by the tester.