Ford Puma Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Puma car check
Is the Ford Puma reliable? We analysed 713,333 real MOT tests across 56,808 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Puma? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Puma is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and parking brake: efficiency below requirements. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Puma.
Ford Puma Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Puma. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Puma MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Puma to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Puma Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Puma fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Puma Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Puma owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Puma MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Puma year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 239 | 91.6% | 14,076 | 21,187 | 30,934 |
| 2021 | 357 | 92.7% | 12,855 | 21,001 | 30,053 |
| 2020 | 436 | 89.2% | 16,746 | 26,986 | 36,674 |
| 2003 | 128 | 67.2% | 40,571 | 57,296 | 69,357 |
| 2002 | 82,252 | 71.0% | 44,584 | 65,164 | 87,774 |
| 2001 | 187,757 | 68.8% | 50,046 | 69,595 | 90,668 |
| 2000 | 171,916 | 67.3% | 55,239 | 74,235 | 95,023 |
| 1999 | 147,101 | 66.3% | 59,503 | 79,049 | 98,747 |
| 1998 | 93,455 | 63.0% | 31,468 | 63,582 | 82,270 |
| 1997 | 29,232 | 61.2% | 28,560 | 65,014 | 83,612 |
How Long Does a Ford Puma Last?
Based on 56,808 Ford Puma vehicles on UK roads.
Ford Puma Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Puma MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Ford Puma
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
92.7% MOT pass rate from 357 tests
61.2% MOT pass rate from 29,232 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Puma is 2021, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 92.7% across 357 tests. The 1997 model year has the lowest pass rate at 61.2% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford Puma Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Puma THIS CAR | 67.2% | 713,333 | 71,347 mi | 29 yrs |
| Ford Fiesta | 72.8% | 33,753,820 | 57,529 mi | 34 yrs |
| Ford Focus | 73.8% | 28,316,889 | 72,500 mi | 27 yrs |
| Ford Transit | 68.7% | 16,371,688 | 100,614 mi | 37 yrs |
| Chrysler Voyager | 67.1% | 217,749 | 91,363 mi | 29 yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Puma trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Puma you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Ford PumaShould you buy a used Ford Puma?
The Ford Puma has an overall MOT pass rate of 67.2% across 713,333 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Ford Puma are brake pipe excessively corroded (62,649 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (45,167), and parking brake: efficiency below requirements (24,837). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Ford Puma owner drives around 5,410 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Ford Puma models stay on UK roads for around 29 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.