Comparison · family SUVs

Ford Kuga vs Volkswagen Tiguan: which is more reliable?

The Volkswagen Tiguan does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 103 for the Ford Kuga, comparing each with cars of the same age. Based on 521,021 real MOT tests in 2024.

Ford Kuga

103Above average
MOT tests285,773

Volkswagen Tiguan

106Above average
MOT tests235,248

By age

MOT Rank score for each age group (100 = an average car that age).

Age at testFord KugaVolkswagen Tiguan
3–5 years
102About average
103Above average
6–9 years
104Above average
107Above average
10–14 years
103Above average
107Above average
15+ years
102Above average
109Well above average

Year by year

Share that passed first time, same registration year.

YearFord KugaVolkswagen Tiguan
202190.3%89.1%
202089.7%89.0%
201985.3%88.1%
201884.6%86.4%
201783.9%86.4%
201680.2%84.2%
201576.7%78.3%
201473.2%74.4%
201371.8%73.4%
201264.1%69.3%
201161.4%65.4%
201059.2%63.3%
200959.7%63.4%
200858.7%62.0%

Problem areas

Failure items per 100 tests.

AreaFord KugaVolkswagen Tiguan
Lights & electrics9.34.0
Tyres6.36.3
Suspension3.27.8
Brakes6.24.2
Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)4.22.1
Emissions & leaks2.01.9
Body & chassis1.71.0
Steering0.90.3

Ford Kuga: top failures

  1. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick2.7%
  2. Position lamp: not working2.7%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.2%
  4. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.5%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.1%
  6. Tyres - condition: has ply or cords exposed1.1%

Volkswagen Tiguan: top failures

  1. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm2.5%
  2. Suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.2%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.1%
  4. Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.7%
  5. Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.5%
  6. Tyres - condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords1.2%

Questions

Which is more reliable, the Ford Kuga or the Volkswagen Tiguan?

The Volkswagen Tiguan does better at the MOT, with a score of 106 against 103 for the Ford Kuga, comparing each with cars of the same age.

Which years of the Ford Kuga and Volkswagen Tiguan can be compared?

Both were tested for 14 registration years (2008–2021). The Ford Kuga had the higher pass rate in 2 of them and the Volkswagen Tiguan in 12.

What fails most on each?

Ford Kuga: brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick; position lamp: not working. Volkswagen Tiguan: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm; suspension arms - pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn.