2017 Ford Kuga 2.0L Diesel · LB64 SAM

Across three consecutive annual tests from 2022 to 2025, this 2017 Ford Kuga has returned a clean pass with no advisories recorded at all, marking a stable and unblemished roadworthiness trend at the most recent examination on 19 September 2025. Prior to that run, however, the record carried a sequence of minor advisories at successive tests, including front brake pad wear noted at the 2020 examination, sidewall tyre cuts and rear brake disc surface rust in 2021, and a nearside front tyre worn close to the legal limit on its edge in 2022. While none of these items resulted in a failure, they collectively point to consumable wear on the braking system and front axle geometry that was resolving at a steady rate, with no recurrence flagged since. The absence of any structural, steering, suspension, or corrosion advisories throughout the recorded history is a notable feature of this vehicle's MOT profile. With nine years on the road and 46,369 miles recorded, this Kuga has covered an average of roughly 5,150 miles annually, which sits well under the typical mileage for a vehicle of its age and is more consistent with light secondary-car use than with regular daily commuting. Annual mileage gaps cannot be inferred from the MOT data alone, but the steady year-on-year presence at test from 2020 through 2025 indicates the vehicle has remained in active service throughout that period rather than being laid up for any extended duration. Mechanically, a usage profile of this kind generally means slower accumulation of wear on high-stress components such as the clutch, turbocharger and diesel particulate filter if so equipped, though it also places greater importance on the condition of items that deteriorate with age rather than use, including rubber suspension bushes, coolant hoses, the timing belt service interval, and the 12 volt battery. The 2020 advisory on front brake pads combined with rear disc surface rust in 2021 suggests the braking system has seen only modest frictional wear to date, which is consistent with the lower annual mileage. For a prospective buyer, the priority areas to scrutinise on inspection are those that have already appeared in the advisory history. The nearside front tyre edge wear noted in 2022 warrants a close look at current front tread depth and a check for uneven shoulder wear, which on a Kuga can indicate worn front suspension bushes, a tired track rod end, or worn top mounts allowing camber shift; any knocking from the front end over bumps or vagueness in steering response would warrant further investigation. Brake pedal feel should be assessed for sponginess or excessive travel, and the rear calipers should be checked for binding by feeling for hot rear hubs after a short drive, since the 2021 advisory noted surface rust build-up on both rear discs, which can be associated with seized slider mechanisms if the vehicle has seen infrequent use. A thorough visual inspection of the front brake pad thickness via the wheel spokes will confirm whether the 2020 advisory condition has been addressed with replacement pads, and the discs themselves should be checked for lipping and scoring. Given the lower annual mileage and the implication of longer standing periods between trips, particular attention should also be paid to age-related rubber and fluid items that an MOT does not directly cover. The coolant expansion tank, radiator hoses and power steering hoses should be inspected for signs of perishing or weeping, and the condition of the auxiliary drive belt together with its tensioner should be confirmed as within service limits. On a test drive, listen for any diesel knock from cold if the vehicle is the TDCi variant, monitor the dashboard for DPF warning illumination during sustained driving, and check that the clutch biting point is firm rather than slipping under load. Finally, confirm the timing belt or timing chain service interval status in line with Ford's published schedule, as nine years of use will place this Kuga firmly within that critical replacement window regardless of the modest odometer reading.