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Ford Puma reliability

A · Excellent

MOT pass rates and common problems from 260,211 MOT tests of cars first registered 2020–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
90.8%pass first time
+2.5 ptsvs typical car
Beats 81%of cars
260,211MOT tests

Verdict

The Ford Puma passes its MOT first time on 90.8% of tests, 2.5 points higher than a typical car of the same age and mileage (88.3%). That puts it ahead of 81% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2022 Puma does best (beats 90% of cars) and the 2020 worst (beats 67%).

Better than average on lights & electrics, visibility, brakes.

Watch these weak spots

Tyre pressure warning (TPMS)5.0×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

75%80%85%90%95%345692%92%89%80%
Ford PumaTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

2020
Beats 67%
2021
Beats 89%
2022
Beats 90%
2023
Beats 91%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.0 Petrol2020–2023244,34990.7%Beats 81%A
1.5 Petrol2021–202312,14892.2%Beats 92%A
1.0 Hybrid2023–20233,71491.4%Beats 78%B

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 0.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 0.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 0.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 0.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 1.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 2.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 4.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 4.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 1.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 1.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 1.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 2.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+0.7 ptsTyres: 4.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 4.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+0.3 ptsBrakes: 1.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 1.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+0.3 ptsSuspension: 0.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 0.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+0.6 ptsExhaust: 0.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 0.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.1 ptsSuspension: 0.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 0.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 1.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 1.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 4.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 4.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 1.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 2.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 0.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 0.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 1.7% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 2.4% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights+0.7 ptsTyres: 4.5% of tests fail on tyres, against 4.7% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+0.3 ptsBrakes: 1.3% of tests fail on brakes, against 1.6% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes+0.3 ptsSuspension: 0.2% of tests fail on suspension, against 0.8% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension+0.6 ptsExhaust: 0.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 0.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust+0.1 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Exhaust: 0.4% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 0.5% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Tyres
4.5% vs 4.7%
Lights & electrics
1.7% vs 2.4%
Visibility
1.6% vs 2.8%
Brakes
1.3% vs 1.6%
Emissions & leaks
0.4% vs 0.5%
Seat belts & airbags
0.3% vs 0.3%
Suspension
0.2% vs 0.8%
Body & structure
0.2% vs 0.3%
Steering
0.1% vs 0.1%
Wheels
0.1% vs 0.1%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Tyre pressure warning (TPMS) 5.0× typical
    Make sure no tyre-pressure warning light stays on after start-up.
  • Tyre damage & cracking
    Look for cuts, bulges and cracking on both sidewalls of every tyre.
  • Windscreen washers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Brake pads
    Ask when the pads were last replaced and look for a brake-wear warning on the dash.
  • Tyre tread depth
    Check every tyre, including the inner edge, has at least 3 mm of tread. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

75%80%85%90%95%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k95%94%92%89%86%83%80%79%
Ford PumaTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Tyre damage & cracking2.4%3.4%0.7×
Tyre pressure warning (TPMS)1.5%0.3%5.0×
Windscreen washers1.2%0.9%1.4×
Headlight aim1.2%1.4%0.9×
Brake pads1.0%1.0%1.0×
Tyre tread depth0.8%1.2%0.7×
Windscreen wipers0.4%1.9%0.2×
Engine warning light0.2%0.4%0.7×
Brake discs0.2%0.3%0.8×
Seat belt condition0.2%0.2%1.2×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A tyre seriously damaged17.2
A tyre pressure monitoring system malfunctioning or obviously inoperative14.7
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen12.0
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements11.6
A brake lining or pad worn below 1.5mm9.4
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements8.4
A tyre cords visible or damaged6.2
Wiper blade missing or obviously not clearing the windscreen3.5
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2023 Ford Puma3 engines92.7% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.0 Petrol13,32493.0%Beats 93%A
1.0 Hybrid3,71491.4%Beats 78%B
1.5 Petrol1,64492.8%Beats 92%A
2022 Ford Puma2 engines92.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.0 Petrol58,16292.3%Beats 89%A
1.5 Petrol5,33593.3%Beats 96%A
2021 Ford Puma2 engines91.4% passA
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.0 Petrol76,49091.4%Beats 89%A
1.5 Petrol5,16991.0%Beats 84%A
2020 Ford Puma1 engine88.9% passB
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
1.0 Petrol96,37388.9%Beats 67%B

FAQ

What is the Ford Puma MOT pass rate?

90.8% of MOT tests on the Ford Puma were passed first time, based on 260,211 tests between 2022 and 2026 of cars first registered 2020–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 88.3% of the time.

Is the Ford Puma reliable?

On MOT results it rates A (excellent): it passes first time more often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 81% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Ford Puma year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2022 Puma does best for its age and mileage: it beats 90% of cars on UK roads. The 2020 does worst: it beats 67%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Ford Puma?

The most common failure items are tyre damage & cracking, tyre pressure warning (TPMS), windscreen washers. Compared with similar cars, tyre pressure warning (TPMS) comes up 5.0× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.