2022 Ford Kuga ST-Line X ED Phev CVT 2.5L Hybrid electric (clean) · YN22 KHA

A clean two-test DVSA record from March 2025 and March 2026, with no advisories or defects recorded on either occasion, places this Kuga in a particularly strong position for a four-year-old PHEV. The absence of recurring brake pipe corrosion, suspension component wear, or exhaust and underbody advisories over consecutive tests suggests the structural and mechanical integrity of the vehicle has remained sound within the MOT inspection criteria. For a plug-in hybrid that carries additional high-voltage hardware beneath the load floor, the fact that no advisories have been raised around underbody protection, heat shielding, or any electrical wiring visible to the tester is a reassuring baseline. The headline takeaway is a vehicle whose roadworthiness presentation has been consistent and unblemished across the documented test history. With 34,370 miles recorded over four years, this Kuga has accumulated roughly 8,600 miles annually, which sits broadly in line with average UK usage for a family SUV of this age. There is nothing unusual in the mileage profile to suggest either prolonged standing periods that might compromise 12V battery health, brake caliper seizure, or tyre flat-spotting, nor the high annual mileages that typically bring forward wear on dual-clutch or CVT-related components, brake discs, and suspension bushes. The annual MOT cadence appears regular and timely, with no obvious testing gaps that would imply extended off-road periods. Mechanically, this usage level should equate to moderately worn consumables but no accelerated fatigue on major drivetrain or chassis components. From a buyer inspection standpoint, while the MOT history provides no specific components to investigate, a PHEV of this age and mileage warrants close attention to items that MOT testing does not fully cover. During a test drive, listen for any knocking or clonking from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, particularly as the nearside and offside front lower wishbones and anti-roll bar bushes begin to firm up on Kugas approaching mid-life. Steering should feel precise without vagueness around the straight-ahead, and any clunking when turning at low speed may indicate worn drop links or track rod ends. The CVT transmission should deliver smooth, linear progress without hesitation or juddering under partial throttle, and any vibration through the steering wheel under braking would warrant a closer look at disc condition, given PHEV regen braking sometimes masks initial disc wear. On the high-voltage side, it is prudent to verify that the charging cable and door mechanism operate cleanly, that the drive mode selector engages smoothly between EV, Auto EV, and Hybrid modes, and that any warning lights related to the hybrid system or 12V auxiliary battery are absent from the dashboard. Inspect the alloy wheels for kerb damage, as even advisory-free MOTs will not record cosmetic issues, and check the tyres for even shoulder wear, which on a PHEV can indicate underinflation or a suspension geometry concern developing. A scan for stored fault codes on both the conventional ECU and the hybrid powertrain controller is worth requesting, as these can reveal intermittent issues that would not surface during a standard road test. Overall, the clean MOT record combined with average mileage presents this as a vehicle with a sound mechanical foundation, provided the PHEV-specific systems continue to behave as expected during a thorough pre-purchase inspection.