Ford Puma MOT Failures
An analysis of 74,601 real DVSA MOT tests on the Ford Puma — what fails, how often, and how that compares to every other car on UK roads. Generations covered: EC (1997–2002).
Where the Ford Puma fails its MOT
The single biggest MOT failure point on the Ford Puma is seat mounting fault — this model is 77 times more likely to fail on this item than the average car on UK roads. That makes it a major concern for anyone buying or owning this model. Across 74,601 MOT tests, 9.24% of all Ford Puma tests recorded this as a failure.
Other notable weak points include abs fault (58x the fleet average), brake hoses perished or damaged (167x the fleet average), power steering fault (53x the fleet average), and structural corrosion (76x the fleet average). These ratios compare the Ford Puma's failure rate on each item against the national average for all cars tested — a ratio of 10x means this model fails ten times more often than a typical car.
The failures span 5 categories: Seatbelts & Airbags, Suspension, Brakes, Steering, Bodywork. If you're inspecting a Ford Puma before purchase, these are the areas to focus on — and if any have been flagged as advisories on a previous MOT, they're likely to become failures in the near future.
How failures change with mileage
The Ford Puma's weak points shift as the car covers more miles. Understanding these patterns helps you know what to expect — and what to budget for — at each stage of ownership.
Under 60,000 miles
At this mileage, most failures are either design-related or caused by age rather than wear. Components like bushes and drop links may not have been replaced yet, and original-fit parts can deteriorate even on low-mileage cars that spend a lot of time sitting.
For the Ford Puma specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are body, cab or chassis corroded at a mounting point (136x the average) and subframe bushes or mounts worn (100x). brake hoses perished or damaged (95x) and seat mounting fault (77x) also appear frequently.
60,000 to 100,000 miles
This is where routine wear items start to show up. Brake components, tyres, and exhaust parts have done serious work by this point. Cars that have been well serviced will show fewer of these failures — this mileage band is where good maintenance really separates the well-kept from the neglected.
For the Ford Puma specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are floor deteriorated or insecure (99x the average) and abs fault (44x). brake hoses perished or damaged (35x) and seat mounting fault (32x) also appear frequently.
Over 100,000 miles
High-mileage cars accumulate failures across multiple systems. The key question isn't whether things will need doing — they will — but whether the car has been maintained well enough to keep on top of them. Look for a consistent service history and recent MOT passes with minimal advisories.
For the Ford Puma specifically, the DVSA data shows the most common failures at this mileage are brake pipes corroded (67x the average) and brake hoses perished or damaged (46x). abs fault (24x) and suspension pin, bush or joint worn (20x) also appear frequently.
The shift from body, cab or chassis corroded at a mounting point at lower mileages to brake pipes corroded at higher mileages is typical — early failures tend to be design or factory-related, while high-mileage failures reflect accumulated mechanical wear. A car that's been well maintained will usually dodge the worst of both.
Known issues beyond the MOT
An MOT only tests roadworthiness at a single point in time — it won't catch developing faults, intermittent problems, or issues that haven't yet reached the failure threshold. These are the issues that Ford Puma specialists and owners flag most frequently, drawn from manufacturer technical bulletins, workshop data, and verified owner reports.
Brake hose deterioration and ferrule corrosion Dangerous
Ford Puma brake hoses show severe deterioration rates significantly exceeding the national fleet average, with flexible hoses becoming excessively damaged, chafed, twisted or stretched. Affects EC; typical independent garage repair cost is £120–£200.
Subframe and mounting point corrosion Dangerous
The Ford Puma suffers from severe structural corrosion affecting the subframe and critical mounting points for suspension components. Affects EC; typical independent garage repair cost is £800–£1,500.
Suspension bush and joint wear Major
Ford Puma suspension components show accelerated wear rates with MOT failures 45 times higher than the national fleet average for worn pins, bushes, and joints. Affects EC; typical independent garage repair cost is £150–£300.
General body structure corrosion Major
Beyond the critical subframe issues, Ford Pumas suffer from widespread body structure corrosion that affects the overall rigidity of the vehicle assembly. Affects EC; typical independent garage repair cost is £500–£1,200.
For the complete picture — including repair costs across independent, specialist, and dealer garages — see the full Ford Puma common problems breakdown.
What to check before buying a Ford Puma
Based on the MOT failure data and known issues above, here's what to prioritise when inspecting a Ford Puma:
Seatbelts & Airbags — check for seat mounting fault. Suspension — check for abs fault, subframe bushes or mounts worn. Brakes — check for brake hoses perished or damaged, brake pipes corroded. Steering — check for power steering fault.
Beyond the MOT items, ask specifically about brake hose deterioration and ferrule corrosion and subframe and mounting point corrosion. These won't show up on a standard MOT but can be expensive to fix — repairs start from £120. A specialist pre-purchase inspection is worth the investment on this model.
Always check the car's full MOT history for patterns — recurring advisories often become failures within 12 months. And verify the service history to confirm maintenance has been kept up to schedule. Enter any reg into our free car check to see the complete picture.
Looking at a specific Ford Puma?
Enter the reg to see its full MOT history, mileage records, write-off status, and finance checks.
Ford Puma MOT FAQs
What are the most common MOT failures on a Ford Puma?
Based on 74,601 DVSA MOT tests, the most common failure is seat mounting fault — at 77x the national fleet average. Other frequent failures include abs fault and brake hoses perished or damaged.
Is the Ford Puma reliable based on MOT data?
The Ford Puma has 13 MOT failure categories above the fleet average. Specialists also flag brake hose deterioration and ferrule corrosion as a concern. A pre-purchase inspection and service history check are recommended.
What MOT failures should I expect at high mileage?
Above 100,000 miles, the Ford Puma most commonly fails on brake pipes corroded and brake hoses perished or damaged. Under 60,000 miles, the main issues are body, cab or chassis corroded at a mounting point and subframe bushes or mounts worn.
How do I check a Ford Puma's MOT history?
Enter the registration number into our free car check above. You'll see every MOT test result, advisories and failures, mileage readings, write-off status, and finance checks.
MOT failure data sourced from DVSA bulk test records via data.gov.uk. Ratios compare this model's failure rate against the national fleet average. Known issues sourced from manufacturer bulletins, specialist workshops, and verified owner reports.