2016 Ford Kuga 2.0L Diesel · OW65 HUO

An intermittent history of electrical and structural test failures combined with recurring component wear defines the ongoing roadworthiness picture for this Ford Kuga, which successfully secured a clean pass on 2026-02-16 with a single advisory noting slight play in the offside front inner tie rod steering linkage ball joint. Across eight recorded tests spanning from February 2021 to February 2026, the vehicle has accumulated two failures alongside six passes, showing that while major compliance issues have been rectified promptly when flagged, steering and tyre wear items consistently require monitoring. With an odometer reading of 119,868 miles at roughly ten years of age, the vehicle has covered an average of nearly 12,000 miles annually, representing standard to moderately high usage that distributes mechanical wear evenly across the chassis rather than indicating prolonged periods of stationary storage. This consistent accumulation pattern means high-stress drivetrain components, suspension joints, and steering geometry have experienced continuous loading over the years, making a thorough mechanical inspection of underbody pivot points essential during any pre-purchase evaluation. Given the specific advisory for slight play in the offside front inner tie rod ball joint recorded during the latest test, a prospective buyer must pay close attention to the steering feel during a test drive, listening for any knocking sounds or vague feedback when turning the steering wheel from lock to lock over uneven road surfaces. Additionally, the history of tyre degradation advisories, including perishing noted across all four tyres in 2021 and edge wear on the offside rear in 2023, warrants a close physical inspection of all tyre tread depths, sidewall integrity, and DOT date codes to ensure no rubber is aged beyond safe operational limits. Finally, while the 2021 failure involving a weakened rear seat belt webbing and the 2023 lighting and headlamp aim failures were resolved for subsequent tests, every occupant restraint point and exterior light cluster should be manually tested to verify correct operation. Checking the front suspension tracking and alignment is also recommended to address the inner tie rod play and prevent accelerated front tyre wear after purchase.