At a Glance
The Ford Cougar has 31 identified common problems across 1 generation, with the Mk1 (1998-2002) being the most affected generation and brakes the most common problem category. Based on 108K MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Ford Cougar common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Ford Cougar generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Ford Cougar Generations
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Most Common Ford Cougar MOT Failures
Every reason Ford Cougar vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 12.20% |
| 2 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 9.26% |
| 3 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 9.24% |
| 4 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 6.25% |
| 5 | Headlamp aim defect | 5.30% |
| 6 | Brake pads or linings worn | 4.30% |
| 7 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 3.56% |
| 8 | Brake disc or drum worn | 3.48% |
| 9 | Stop lamp not working | 3.31% |
| 10 | Driveshaft fault | 3.01% |
| 11 | Tyre condition | 2.88% |
| 12 | Number plate lamp not working | 2.66% |
| 13 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.38% |
| 14 | Brake performance below minimum | 2.13% |
| 15 | Suspension mounting corroded | 1.82% |
| 16 | Track rod end worn | 1.75% |
| 17 | Front suspension fault | 1.75% |
| 18 | Front lamp not working | 1.71% |
| 19 | Body corrosion or damage | 1.63% |
| 20 | Exhaust system fault | 1.61% |
| 21 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.25% |
| 22 | Front suspension joint worn | 1.23% |
| 23 | Rear lamp not working | 1.23% |
| 24 | Position lamp not working | 0.87% |
| 25 | Parking brake condition | 0.77% |
| 26 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.72% |
| 27 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.65% |
| 28 | Chassis condition | 0.63% |
| 29 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 0.59% |
| 30 | ABS fault | 0.58% |
| 31 | Fog lamp not working | 0.58% |
| 32 | Indicator fault | 0.53% |
| 33 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 0.51% |
| 34 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.50% |
| 35 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.49% |
| 36 | Headlamp fault | 0.48% |
| 37 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.48% |
| 38 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.46% |
| 39 | Horn not working | 0.44% |
| 40 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.43% |
| 41 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.41% |
| 42 | Rear suspension fault | 0.38% |
| 43 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 0.37% |
| 44 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.34% |
| 45 | Steering rack fault | 0.27% |
| 46 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.24% |
| 47 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.23% |
| 48 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.23% |
| 49 | Brake fluid leak | 0.22% |
| 50 | Seat belt condition | 0.22% |
| 51 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.22% |
| 52 | Brake pedal fault | 0.19% |
| 53 | Airbag warning light on | 0.18% |
| 54 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.17% |
| 55 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.14% |
| 56 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.12% |
| 57 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.11% |
| 58 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.10% |
| 59 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.10% |
| 60 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.10% |
| 61 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.09% |
| 62 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.08% |
| 63 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.08% |
| 64 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.08% |
| 65 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | 0.08% |
| 66 | Electrical switch fault | 0.07% |
| 67 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.07% |
| 68 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.06% |
| 69 | Steering free play excessive | 0.06% |
| 70 | Brake caliper fault | 0.06% |
| 71 | Steering arm worn | 0.06% |
| 72 | Power steering pump fault | 0.06% |
| 73 | Steering operation fault | 0.05% |
| 74 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.05% |
| 75 | Steering lock fault | 0.05% |
| 76 | Suspension unit fault | 0.05% |
| 77 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.04% |
| 78 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.04% |
| 79 | CV joint worn | 0.04% |
| 80 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 81 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.04% |
| 82 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.04% |
| 83 | Additional braking device fault | 0.04% |
| 84 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.04% |
| 85 | Drag link end worn | 0.03% |
| 86 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 87 | Brake lever fault | 0.03% |
| 88 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 89 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | 0.03% |
| 90 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.03% |
| 91 | Radius arm worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 92 | Engine oil leak | 0.03% |
| 93 | Body security fault | 0.02% |
| 94 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.02% |
| 95 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Steering column fault | 0.02% |
| 97 | Steering drive system fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Driver airbag fault | 0.01% |
| 99 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.01% |
| 100 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.01% |
| 101 | Driver seat fault | 0.01% |
| 102 | Power steering ram fault | 0.01% |
| 103 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | 0.01% |
| 104 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.01% |
| 105 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | 0.01% |
| 106 | Steering coupling worn | 0.01% |
| 107 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 108 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 109 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 110 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 111 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 112 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | <0.01% |
| 113 | Bumper damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 114 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 115 | Transmission oil leak | <0.01% |
| 116 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 117 | Driver door fault | <0.01% |
| 118 | Handbrake lever fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 120 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 121 | Exhaust leak | <0.01% |
| 122 | Front passenger door fault | <0.01% |
| 123 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 125 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 126 | Passenger seat fault | <0.01% |
| 127 | Speedometer fault | <0.01% |
| 128 | Stub axle worn | <0.01% |
| 129 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 130 | King pin or swivel pin worn | <0.01% |
| 131 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 133 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 134 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Spare wheel fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 140 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 141 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 142 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 143 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 144 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 145 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 146 | Electric power steering fault | <0.01% |
| 147 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 148 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 149 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 151 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
Showing all 152 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Ford Cougar MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Ford Cougar, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Ford Cougar problems?
Based on analysis of 108K Ford Cougar MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 31 identified common problems across 1 generation. The most frequently flagged issue is "Brake hydraulic component worn". Brakes is the most common problem category.
Which Ford Cougar generation has the most problems?
The Ford Cougar Mk1 (1998-2002) (1998–2002) has the highest number of identified common problems (39). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Ford Cougar?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Ford Cougar owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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