Small SUV · 1997–2021 cars
Ford Puma reliability
The Ford Puma fails 12.4% of first MOT tests, 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 61,932 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.
Checking a Ford Puma before you buy?
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- 12.4%
- first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 18% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- 61,932
- MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
- 7,700
- typical miles a year, from MOT readings
MOT fail rate by age
How the Ford Puma ages
Each point is the share of Ford Pumas of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.
| Age at MOT (years) | Ford Puma | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 7.5% | 12.3% |
| 4 | 9.1% | 14.1% |
| 19 | 42.6% | 43.4% |
| 20 | 43.2% | 42.8% |
| 21 | 42% | 41.4% |
| 22 | 40% | 40.6% |
| 23 | 39.1% | 38.9% |
| 24 | 40.5% | 37.1% |
| 25 | 43.9% | 35.8% |
By year
The best and worst Ford Puma years
2021 cars come out best and 1999 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.
| First registered | Tests | Fail rate | Against same-age cars | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Puma | 11,638 | 7.3% | 35% fewer fails | 23,693 |
| 2020 Puma | 41,255 | 7.9% | 32% fewer fails | 25,286 |
| 2019 | 440 | 6.8% | 45% fewer fails | 27,437 |
| 2002 Puma | 1,845 | 42.3% | 8% more fails | 79,207 |
| 2001 Puma | 2,470 | 40.1% | 3% more fails | 79,305 |
| 2000 Puma | 2,171 | 39.2% | 4% more fails | 81,278 |
| 1999 Puma | 1,416 | 42.6% | 19% more fails | 80,849 |
| 1998 | 635 | 43.3% | 38% more fails | 63,002 |
Common problems
What fails most on a Ford Puma
Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 83% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.
Fail rate by area
- Brakes3.4%9% above avg
- Suspension3.1%31% above avg
- Lights and electrics3.1%33% below avg
- Tyres3.1%28% below avg
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors2.2%40% below avg
- Body, chassis and structure1.8%27% above avg
- Seat belts and airbags1.2%83% above avg
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks1.2%11% below avg
- Steering0.2%66% below avg
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top MOT failures
- 1
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 1.25% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 2
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords 0.83% of tests
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 3
Seat belt anchor area weakened 0.72% of tests
Corrosion near a seat belt anchor can weaken the body and make the belt fail, so expert repair is needed.
- 4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 0.65% of tests
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 5
Windscreen washer fluid insufficient 0.61% of tests
Washers are not supplying enough liquid, so the windscreen cannot be cleared properly, which is a safety issue.
- 6
Headlamp aim set too high 0.56% of tests
Headlamps aimed too high can dazzle other drivers, and adjusting them is usually a quick job.
- 7
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 0.55% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
- 8
CV joint boot split or insecure 0.48% of tests
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Most common advisories
Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Ford Puma's MOT certificate most often.
- Tyre worn close to legal limit6.62%
- Brake disc pitted or scored4.79%
- Tyre slightly damaged or cracking4.36%
- Brake pads wearing thin3.7%
- Engine oil leak, not excessive2.72%
- Brake pipes corroded and greasy2.33%
Before you buy
What to check on a used Ford Puma
- 1
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.
- 2
Tyre cut reaching ply or cords
A cut reaching the ply or cords weakens the tyre and can cause a burst, so it must be replaced.
- 3
Seat belt anchor area weakened
Corrosion near a seat belt anchor can weaken the body and make the belt fail, so expert repair is needed.
- 4
Brake pads worn below 1.5mm
Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.
- 5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
- 6
The mileage record
A typical Ford Puma covers about 7,700 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
- 7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.
Fuel types tested
- Petrol99.2%
- Hybrid0.8%
- Diesel0%
- LPG0%
- Electric0%
Most common colours
Grey, Blue, Silver, Black, Red
Average engine size: 1.1 litres.
Compare
How the Ford Puma compares with its rivals
| Model | Fail rate | Against same-age cars |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Puma | 12.4% | 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Kia Stonic | 11.9% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Hyundai Kona | 11.7% | 10% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age |
| BMW X2 | 14.1% | about average for its age |
| Citroën C3 Aircross | 14% | 8% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| MG ZS | 18.3% | 25% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
| Citroën C4 Cactus | 24.9% | 54% more MOT fails than the average car its age |
Every small suv ranked in the small suv reliability index, or all Ford models.
Questions
Ford Puma questions, answered
Is the Ford Puma reliable?
On MOT results, the Ford Puma is better than average: it fails 12.4% of first MOT tests, 18% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 12 of 40 small suv models in our index.
What fails most on a Ford Puma MOT?
The most common MOT failures on the Ford Puma are suspension mounting area seriously corroded (1.25% of tests), tyre cut reaching ply or cords (0.83% of tests), seat belt anchor area weakened (0.72% of tests). By area, brakes fails 3.4% of its tests.
Which Ford Puma year is the most reliable?
Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (35% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 1999 cars do worst (19% more MOT fails than the average car its age).
How many miles does a Ford Puma do a year?
A typical Ford Puma covers about 7,700 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.
How do I check a Ford Puma before I buy it?
Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.
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