2015 Ford Kuga 2.0L Diesel · MY55 PJB

A pattern of accumulating advisories around the rear suspension, front brake discs and minor fluid leaks is the defining mechanical theme for this 2015 Ford Kuga. Across the four recorded MOT tests spanning 2024 to 2026, the vehicle passed each annual assessment, but the list of advisory items has grown steadily. The 2026 test in late August produced a clean pass alongside four advisories covering rear upper suspension corrosion, both rear upper trailing arm bushes, and front brake disc lipping on both sides; the same test was initially failed on the same day for an inoperative nearside front side repeater in the door mirror, a major lamp defect that was clearly rectified during the same visit. In 2025 the car passed with advisories for a nearside front upper coolant leak, front brake disc lipping, an offside front inner drive shaft oil seal seep and worn rear upper trailing arm bushes. The 2024 test passed but only after an earlier same-day failure for an offside rear outer service brake exhibiting excessive fluctuation, a major defect pointing to a binding caliper, sticking mechanism or collapsed brake hose at the time. Two prior tests in 2022 and 2023 were passed with no advisories at all, and a 2021 test recorded only a thin offside rear brake pad. The trajectory is therefore one of progressive wear items appearing on successive tests rather than any sudden deterioration. With four usable MOT entries on file between 2021 and 2026 and a recorded mileage of 83,897 miles, the Kuga averages roughly 7,600 miles per year, which sits close to the expected figure for an eleven year old family crossover. The recorded mileages on successive tests imply consistent annual usage with no obvious gaps in testing or evidence of a long stationary period, so the wear pattern observed reflects regular driving rather than neglect through lay-up. That said, a roughly 8,000 mile annual mileage over more than a decade is sufficient to produce meaningful wear on suspension bushes, brake discs, drive shaft seals and coolant components, which is consistent with the advisory list now in evidence. There is no unusual mileage jump between tests that would suggest a recent long-distance journey skewing component ageing. For a prospective buyer, the rear suspension is the area that warrants the closest physical inspection on a test drive. With advisories logged in both 2025 and 2026 for upper trailing arm bushes and additional general corrosion noted on the rear upper suspension structure in 2026, listen for clonks or thuds from the rear over speed humps and uneven tarmac, particularly on laden cornering loads, and feel for any vagueness or shimmy through the rear axle. Push the car laterally at standstill if possible to detect play in the bushes, and inspect the upper suspension components visually for surface corrosion that may be progressing beyond the not seriously weakened threshold. The 2026 advisories for both front brake discs being worn on inner and outer faces, combined with the same item flagged in 2024 and 2025, suggest the discs are approaching the limit of re-usable material; on a test drive expect to feel a distinct pedal pulse or judder under moderate to firm braking, particularly in wet conditions, and listen for any scraping indicating pad material is now thin. The fluid-related advisories also deserve direct attention. A nearside front upper coolant leak was noted in 2025, so check the coolant expansion tank level and look for dried crystallised residue or staining on the engine side of the bulkhead or around the upper coolant pipes when the car is cold. The offside front inner drive shaft oil seal advisory in 2025 points to a weep that should be monitored; on a test drive listen for a rhythmic click or graunching noise from the offside front under full steering lock, particularly when reversing, which would indicate accelerated seal wear. The 2024 major failure for excessive offside rear service brake fluctuation suggests a brake bind or sticking caliper that was present at that test; confirm the offside rear wheel runs cool rather than hot after driving, that the car does not pull noticeably under braking, and that there is no uneven pad wear on a visual inspection of the rear caliper and disc. Finally, verify full operation of all indicators including the door mirror repeaters and inspect the front brake disc surfaces for a pronounced outer lip before purchase.