2014 Ford Kuga 2.0L Diesel · LG14 XFE

A persistent pattern of front tyre wear and uneven brake pad consumption defines the mechanical record of this 2014 Ford Kuga. Across at least five consecutive MOT entries from 2021 onwards, the nearside and offside front tyres have repeatedly been flagged as worn close to the legal limit on their inner edges, with a near-edge advisory appearing on the 2022 test, the 2021 failure, and the 2026 failure and subsequent pass. This consistent geometry-driven wear suggests an underlying alignment or suspension geometry issue that has not been resolved, since the same 235/55/R17 specification continues to be flagged year after year. The 2026-08-25 test was failed outright on two Major defects, a malfunctioning tyre pressure monitoring system and an inoperative offside front position lamp, both of which were corrected in the two-day turnaround before the vehicle passed on 27 August. Earlier, a 2021 failure cited an inoperative engine MIL indicator, pointing to a prior emissions or engine management concern that did not reappear in subsequent tests. The supporting advisory record is also notable: rear brake pads flagged as wearing thin in 2023, front brake pads flagged as wearing thin in 2021, and a corroded rear subframe noted in 2025 as not seriously weakened. Together these entries describe a vehicle that has remained roadworthy at each annual test but carries a chronic wear pattern on its front axle consumables and a developing corrosion picture at the rear. The recorded mileage of 125,951 miles across roughly twelve years equates to an average annual accumulation of around 10,500 miles, which sits within the normal usage band for a vehicle of this age and class. There are no extended gaps in the annual testing record, with tests recorded consecutively from 2021 through 2026, indicating the vehicle has been in regular use rather than laid up for prolonged periods. The annual mileage implied by the test-to-test progression is consistent and steady, suggesting no abrupt long-distance trips or extended storage that might otherwise mask component deterioration. Given this continuous use pattern, mechanical wear on suspension bushes, brake discs, and steering components should be regarded as proportionate to the high accumulated mileage rather than indicative of any unusual stress regime. For a prospective buyer, the front tyre wear pattern warrants close physical inspection at the test drive stage. Request evidence of a recent four-wheel alignment and inspect both front tyres for feathering or stepped wear on the inner shoulder, as the advisory wording has referenced this exact condition repeatedly. During a road test, listen for any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, which could indicate worn wishbone bushes, droplinks, or anti-roll bar mountings contributing to the geometry problem, and pay particular attention to any steering pull or wander that may suggest tracking is once again drifting out of specification. On the braking side, with front pads flagged in 2021 and rear pads flagged in 2023, the discs are likely nearing a replacement interval at this mileage, so check for pedal judder under firm braking, any grinding or scraping noises, and verify that the calipers are releasing cleanly without binding. Finally, given the 2025 advisory regarding rear subframe corrosion, the underside of the vehicle should be examined on a ramp for any progression of surface rust around the rear subframe mounting points, brake pipes, and suspension arm attachments, paying particular attention to whether the corrosion has advanced beyond the merely cosmetic stage noted by the examiner.