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Ford Cougar MOT Check

MOT pass rates, common failures, and reliability data for the Ford Cougar. Check any Cougar by registration number below.

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66.4%

Avg Pass Rate

-18.7%

vs Ford Avg

6

Year Ranges

Average

Reliability

Ford Cougar — MOT Reliability Overview

The Ford Cougar has an average MOT pass rate of 66.4%, which is 18.7 percentage points below the Ford brand average of 85.1%. This is a reasonable result that reflects typical UK reliability standards. Regular servicing and addressing advisories promptly will help keep your Cougar on the road.

The most common reasons a Ford Cougar fails its MOT are the strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired, the aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements, parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement. If you are preparing your Cougar for its MOT, checking these areas first could save you a retest fee. Our detailed fault analysis includes estimated repair costs for each failure type.

Before buying a used Ford Cougar, we recommend checking the full MOT history, write-off status, outstanding finance, and stolen vehicle status. These checks can be done for free using the registration number.

MOT Pass Rate by Year

How the Ford Cougar performs at MOT across different model years.

2002

Based on 56 vehicles

91.1%Excellent
Ford average: 85.1%

2001

Based on 315 vehicles

65.1%Average
Ford average: 85.1%
Dangerous Defects

4.3%

Retest Rate

40.6%

2000

Based on 434 vehicles

62.9%Below Average
Ford average: 85.1%
Dangerous Defects

6.8%

Retest Rate

22.0%

1999

Based on 518 vehicles

63.9%Below Average
Ford average: 85.1%
Dangerous Defects

3.1%

Retest Rate

25.6%

1998

Based on 84 vehicles

45.2%Poor
Ford average: 85.1%
Dangerous Defects

5.1%

Retest Rate

42.4%

0

Based on 707 vehicles

70.3%Average
Ford average: 85.1%
Mileage at 5yr

89k mi

Top MOT Failures — Ford Cougar

The most common reasons a Ford Cougar fails its MOT, aggregated across all year ranges.

1

The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired

10.8%
2

The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements

7.1%
3

Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement

7.0%
4

Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced

5.5%
5

A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning

5.5%
Ford Cougar Common Faults & Repair Costs

Other Ford Models

Compare MOT reliability across Ford models.

Ford Grand Tourneo Connect

75.7% pass rate

Ford Puma St-line

95.4% pass rate

Ford Tourneo Connect

89.9% pass rate

Ford Focus Active Edition Mhev

93.1% pass rate

Ford Mondeo

67.1% pass rate

Ford Focus C - Max

96.1% pass rate

Useful MOT Guides

Common MOT Failures

The most common reasons UK vehicles fail their MOT — and how to prepare.

MOT Checklist

Pre-MOT checklist to improve your chances of passing first time.

Advisory vs Failure

Understanding the difference between MOT advisories and failures.

See detailed fault analysis for Ford Cougar

Ford Cougar — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the Ford Cougar MOT and reliability.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Ford Cougar?
The average MOT pass rate for the Ford Cougar is 66.4% compared to the Ford average of 85.1%. Pass rates vary by year — check the year-by-year breakdown on this page for details.
What are the most common MOT failures on a Ford Cougar?
The most common MOT failures on the Ford Cougar are: The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired (10.8%), The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements (7.1%), Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement (7.0%). These are the components most likely to cause an MOT failure.
Is the Ford Cougar reliable?
With an average MOT pass rate of 66.4%, the Ford Cougar is rated as "Average" for reliability. This is around average — regular maintenance is recommended to avoid common failure points.
How do I check the MOT history of a Ford Cougar?
Enter the vehicle's registration number in the search box at the top of this page. You will instantly see the complete MOT history including every test result, mileage readings, advisories, and dangerous defects — completely free.
What mileage should I expect on a Ford Cougar?
Typical mileage for the Ford Cougar: 88,916 miles at 5 years. Use these benchmarks when evaluating a used Cougar to spot vehicles with unusually high or low mileage.

Check Your Ford Cougar's MOT History

Enter the registration number for the full MOT history — free and instant.

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