2015 Ford Kuga 2.0L Diesel · YN65 OYF

The defining mechanical story for this 2015 Ford Kuga is one of recurring brake and tyre wear with a single significant brake-related failure in the recorded history. Across seven MOT tests from 2021 to 2026, the vehicle has passed five times and failed twice, with the failures occurring on the same dates as pass tests. The most recent assessment on 2026-07-22 returned a clean pass with no advisories or defects recorded, and the 2025 test was similarly unblemished, suggesting the vehicle's roadworthy condition has stabilised in the most recent cycle after a busier period of flagged components. However, the 2024 test history is notable: it produced a failure for nearside front brake pads measuring less than 1.5 mm thick, classified as Dangerous, alongside advisories for worn front and rear brake discs, thinning rear brake pads, and play in the offside front steering rack inner joint. The 2023 test further reinforced a pattern of brake wear, with advisories for thinning front and rear pads and lipped discs, plus both front tyres flagged as worn close to the legal limit with edge wear. Earlier still, the 2022 failure cited a non-functioning offside front position lamp alongside a nearside front tyre with a cut exposing ply or cords and an offside front tyre worn smooth on the inner edge. With 126,025 miles recorded over approximately eleven years, this Kuga has accumulated roughly 11,457 miles annually, which sits broadly in line with typical usage for a vehicle of its age. The mileage progression between tests appears consistent, with no extended gaps in the annual testing record that would suggest the vehicle was laid up for prolonged periods. That said, the steady annual accumulation combined with the brake and tyre wear pattern observed in 2022 through 2024 is consistent with a car that sees regular real-world use, placing corresponding demand on consumables, friction materials, and steering components. The brake pad failures and recurring disc lipping advisories fall within expected service intervals for a vehicle at this mileage band, but they should not be dismissed as routine, particularly given the Dangerous classification on the nearside front pads in 2024. A prospective buyer should pay particular attention to the steering rack inner joint flagged in the 2024 advisory. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, and feel for any vagueness, slack, or rattle through the steering wheel, particularly when turning lock to lock or traversing speed bumps. Inspect the offside front inner track rod boot for splits or grease contamination, as perished boots accelerate joint wear. Although the 2026 test recorded no defects, the steering rack play flagged in 2024 warrants verification that remedial work was carried out, ideally through a documented receipt, as steering rack replacement on a Kuga of this generation is a non-trivial cost. Equally, although the 2026 pass was clean, the 2024 brake failure means the front brake pads, discs, and caliper slide pins should be physically inspected for current thickness, uneven wear patterns, and free operation, as the Kuga is known for binding calipers that accelerate pad wear. Brake pedal feel during the test drive should be firm and progressive, with no excessive travel, sponginess, or judder under braking, as the previously flagged disc lipping can develop into pedal pulse if the discs have worn unevenly. The tyres also merit close inspection: although no tyre defects were recorded in 2026, the 2022 and 2023 advisories noted inner edge wear on both fronts, which on a Kuga often points to worn front suspension bushes, top mounts, or alignment issues. Check the front tyres for feathering or one-sided wear, and verify that the tracking has been maintained within specification. Finally, carry out a thorough walkaround at night or in low light to confirm both front position lamps, tail lamps, and number plate illumination are functioning, given the 2022 failure for a non-working offside front position lamp, and listen for any suspension knocks or rear brake judder that might indicate the advisories recorded in earlier tests have developed into more substantive defects since the most recent inspection.