Used buying checklist
Ford Puma reliability, common problems and used buying checks
A used Ford Puma looks worse than average for reliability in UK MOT data: 28.3% of 3,288 tests failed, compared with 18.7% across all indexed models. A good example should have a clean MOT history for corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
Start with corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). MOT data does not capture every reliability issue, especially intermittent engine, gearbox or infotainment faults that do not appear during the test.
- 28.3% MOT failure rate
- Median tested mileage 76,905 miles
- 932 failed MOT tests analysed
Corrosion and structure is the clearest area to check
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in this model's MOT history (110.1 MOT notes per 100 tests). Example MOT phrases from this area include excessively corroded, corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened, and prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength.
Example MOT phrases to search in the car's history:
- excessively corroded
- corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened
- prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength
- ferrule excessively corroded
- leaking excessively from engine
- emissions likely to be affected by an exhaust leak
- has a major leak of exhaust gases
- Fuel Pipe/s corroded
- has a product on the lens so that the light output is severely reduced
- inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
Focus on corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical
The model's recorded failure rate is 28.3%, +9.6 percentage points compared with the average across all models. Use the seller questions below to check whether repeat MOT notes have actually been repaired.
- MOT tests analysed3,288 tests
- Median tested mileage76,905 miles
- Failed MOT tests932
Should you buy a used Ford Puma?
71.7% of the MOT tests we analysed for this model passed. The model's recorded failure rate is 28.3%, +9.6 percentage points compared with the average across all models. This is a buying brief for the exact car in front of you: clean repeat history matters more than badge reputation.
- Repeat unresolved MOT notes for corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical
- corrosion and structure appearing across more than one MOT
- Any dangerous MOT failure on the exact car, especially if the same area appears again later
- No paperwork showing applicable recall work has been completed
- A seller who cannot explain MOT wording such as "excessively corroded"
It can be, if the exact car has a clean history for corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
Start with corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical, then compare the car's mileage and recall record below.
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (110.1 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Past 100k miles on the Ford Puma, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
The MOT failure rate rises from 7.7% at 0-3 years to 29.0% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%.
Start with corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, lights and electrical, and suspension and steering. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller.
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
What should I check first?
Start with corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, lights and electrical, and suspension and steering. The checklist on this page explains why each area is being recommended, what to inspect, and what to ask the seller. Each item shows whether it comes from MOT results, recall notices, or a standard used-car check.
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Corrosion and structure Seen in MOT results
Corrosion and structure is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (110.1 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Inspect sills, subframes, mounting points, arches, and underside corrosion advisories.
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Emissions, engine, and exhaust Seen in MOT results
Emissions, engine, and exhaust is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (31.4 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check warning lights, smoke, exhaust leaks, recent emissions failures, and service history.
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Lights and electrical Seen in MOT results
Lights and electrical is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (19.3 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check every lamp, warning light, horn, battery condition, and dashboard messages.
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Suspension and steering Seen in MOT results
Suspension and steering is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (13.0 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Listen for knocks, check uneven tyre wear, and inspect steering play.
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Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors Seen in MOT results
Windscreen, wipers, and mirrors is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (7.6 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check windscreen damage, wiper operation, washers, mirrors, and demisting.
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Tyres and wheels Seen in MOT results
Tyres and wheels is one of the most common MOT problem areas for this model (1.6 MOT notes per 100 tests).
What to check: Check tyre age, tread depth, sidewall damage, wheel condition, and alignment wear.
What changes with mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Ford Puma, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
Common MOT problem areas
Common faults: what usually fails on this model?
Corrosion and structure is the clearest named problem area in the MOT history (110.1 MOT notes per 100 tests). These counts are issue notes, not failure rates, because a single MOT can list several faults.
Recall-related areas to verify
Official recall areas
Manufacturer recall notices for the Ford Puma mainly involve 6 areas: windscreen, wipers, and mirrors, mixed recall notices, lights and electrical, and seatbelts and safety systems. Treat each as something to verify on the specific car you are viewing; the recall table below shows the official notice text.
Mileage and age checks
Mileage changes: what starts showing up after high mileage?
Past 100k miles on the Ford Puma, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical. On lower-mileage cars, the most common named areas are corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-50k | 682 | 549 | 20.1%+9.3 percentage points vs all models | 35,062 miles |
| 50-100k | 1,769 | 1,296 | 30.0%+9.2 percentage points vs all models | 75,780 miles |
| 100-150k | 698 | 508 | 33.4%+7.2 percentage points vs all models | 115,240 miles |
| 150-200k | 95 | 67 | 31.6%+4.3 percentage points vs all models | 160,376 miles |
| 200k+ | 6 | 4 | 33.3%+6.8 percentage points vs all models | 205,956 miles |
Problem areas by mileage
Past 100k miles on the Ford Puma, MOT records most often point to corrosion and structure, emissions, engine, and exhaust, and lights and electrical.
| Mileage range | Car areas most often recorded | Specific MOT defect examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0-50k |
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| 50-100k |
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| 100-150k |
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| 150-200k |
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| 200k+ |
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Fair comparisons: is this problem normal for its age?
The MOT failure rate rises from 7.7% at 0-3 years to 29.0% at 15+ years. Compare the car with the nearest age range before treating a fault as normal wear or a warning sign. The average MOT failure rate across all models in the same dataset is 18.7%. The highest failure rate by age is 29.0% for 15+ years cars, based on 3,190 tests.
| Age range | Tests | Vehicles | Failure rate (vs all models) | Median age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-3 years 2023–2026 reg. |
26 | 23 | 7.7%-0.8 percentage points vs all models | 3.0 years |
| 3-6 years 2020–2023 reg. |
72 | 62 | 8.3%-2.3 percentage points vs all models | 3.1 years |
| 15+ years pre-2011 reg. |
3,190 | 2,350 | 29.0%+3.1 percentage points vs all models | 22.4 years |
Recall records and data freshness
Recall context: are there safety notices to know about?
6 relevant recall notices appear for this model. Treat them as safety checks to verify for the exact car, not as normal MOT wear.
| 2026-04-24 | Puma -Certificate of Conformity (CoC) Update Tyre Mismatch While monitoring vehicles in operation Ford has become aware that a number of Puma Gen-E vehicles may show a mismatch between the Tyre information on the Certificate of Conformity (COC) and Homologation documents and may not meet regulatory requirements. Document exchange |
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| 2026-04-22 | 26S15 Puma - Driveshaft Inspection Affected vehicles may experience a right-hand sided front driveshaft failure resulting in a loss of drive. Inspect the right-hand side front driveshaft and replace if necessary. |
| 2026-02-13 | 25C81 Puma - Instrument Panel Cluster Software Update On affected vehicles the software repair for previous recall 24C18 may not have been delivered properly and vehicles may still have an intermittent Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) display issue. Update the IPC software and perform an additional verification process to ensure the configuration has been installed correctly. |
| 2026-02-06 | 25SF3 Puma Restraint Control Module Software On affected vehicles the software repair for previous recall 25SF3 may not have been delivered properly and may still have incorrect Restraint Control Module (RCM) software. If the incorrect software is installed the system will not display any warnings and the restraints system performance could be degraded in an accident increasing the risk of injury. Update the RCM and perform an additional verification process to ensure the configuration has been installed correctly. |
| 2025-09-08 | CrossCar: Sync3 Rear-View Camera Software Update On affected vehicles a software problem may result in issues with the rear-view camera that reduce the driver’s view or with it remaining on after a reversing event. Update the vehicle software to the latest level. |
| 2025-06-10 | 25E03 – Puma mHEV - Hybrid system fault Affected vehicles may experience a hybrid system fault (no torque assistance or regeneration and loss of Stop Start). This may be observed as a hybrid gauge not working poor performance or reduced fuel economy. Update the Battery Energy Control Module software. |
Related searches
Common ways people look up the Ford Puma. Each link runs the search and lands on the relevant section of this report.
Related reliability guides
See where this model sits against other Ford reports by MOT failure rate and common problem area.
Compare high-confidence model reports across all makes.
Use the fleet mileage baseline before checking this model's own mileage table.
Compare this model's age pattern with the wider MOT baseline.
Sources used: DVSA MOT tests (Apr 2026); vehicle recalls (Apr 2026); MOT fault wording (May 2025). These are patterns from many MOT tests and recall notices. They help you decide what to inspect and what to ask; they do not certify the condition of one specific car.