2021 Ford Kuga Titanium Phev CVT 2.5L Hybrid electric · ST54 RRT

The most recent DVSA MOT test for this 2021 Ford Kuga Titanium PHEV was conducted on 13 March 2026 and resulted in a pass with no defects or advisories recorded. This is the third consecutive pass, with equally clean outcomes on 7 April 2025 and 2 February 2024, indicating a stable and well-maintained vehicle with no emerging wear patterns flagged by the official testing regime. The complete absence of advisories across three tests is particularly reassuring on a PHEV model, where items such as brake discs, suspension components, and emissions system integrity are routinely scrutinised. Overall, the maintenance trend as evidenced by the MOT history is consistently stable, suggesting the vehicle has been serviced to a satisfactory standard throughout its life to date. With 21,880 miles recorded over approximately five years of age, the vehicle has averaged around 4,376 miles annually, which is notably low and indicative of either light-use commuter driving or extended periods of standing. This low annual mileage is mechanically significant in several respects. The combustion engine and associated components such as the exhaust system, spark plugs, oil seals, and the conventional 12-volt auxiliary battery are vulnerable to degradation from infrequent use rather than wear alone. Conversely, the high-voltage traction battery, electric drive motors, and plug-in hybrid system components are largely unaffected by mileage, though they benefit from periodic use to maintain state of charge and cell balancing. Given the clean MOT record and the low usage profile, a prospective buyer should now perform a series of age-and-mileage-appropriate physical inspections. Tyres fitted to a five-year-old car with relatively low mileage are more likely to suffer from sidewall perishing and rubber degradation due to age rather than tread wear alone, so the production date stamps on the sidewalls should be checked and any cracking or discolouration treated as grounds for replacement regardless of remaining tread depth. Brake discs and calipers on a low-mileage vehicle are prone to surface corrosion and binding from prolonged standing, which can manifest as brake shudder on initial application, uneven pad transfer, or a handbrake that fails to release cleanly. On a test drive, listen for any clonks or knocks from the front suspension over speed humps, as the MacPherson strut and anti-roll bar bushes can perish with age even at low mileage, and inspect the underbody and wheel arch liners for any signs of corrosion consistent with a 2021 production date. Service history verification is equally important on this Kuga PHEV. The manufacturer service schedule requires oil and filter changes at extended intervals for the combustion engine, even if the annual mileage is low, as calendar-based degradation of engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and the transmission fluid for the CVT remains a concern. Confirm that the service book is fully stamped and that any work has been carried out by a Ford-authorised or suitably qualified hybrid-trained technician, particularly for the high-voltage system. The 12-volt battery, which powers the hybrid control systems and allows the vehicle to enter its ready mode, has a typical life of four to six years and should therefore be tested for residual capacity before purchase, as a weak auxiliary battery is one of the most common causes of non-starting and system faults on plug-in hybrids. Finally, ensure the charging cable and port are present and undamaged, and where possible verify that the high-voltage battery state of health is within acceptable parameters by asking the seller or dealer to provide a diagnostic readout, as the lithium-ion traction battery is the single most expensive component on the vehicle and replacement costs are substantial.