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MOT performance

Ford Kuga vs Jaguar I-Pace: MOT pass rates compared

In 2023–2024, 79.6% of 563,605 Ford Kuga MOT tests and 91.8% of 30,624 Jaguar I-Pace tests passed first time — 12.2 points in favour of the Jaguar I-Pace. Once age, mileage and fuel are allowed for, the Jaguar I-Pace fails less often than the Ford Kuga: 0.58× against 0.90× the national rate for comparable cars.

563,605 Ford Kuga and 30,624 Jaguar I-Pace MOT tests, 2023–2024

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At a glance

Ford Kuga vs Jaguar I-Pace MOT results
FigureValueBasis
Ford Kuga: first-time pass rate79.6%±0.1 pts (95%), n = 563,605
Jaguar I-Pace: first-time pass rate91.8%±0.3 pts (95%), n = 30,624
Ford Kuga: failures vs similar cars-10%same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00
Jaguar I-Pace: failures vs similar cars-42%same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00
Ford Kuga: dangerous defect6.6%n = 563,605
Jaguar I-Pace: dangerous defect2.3%n = 30,624
Average age at test6.8 vs 3 yearsFord Kuga vs Jaguar I-Pace

Why the raw pass rates can mislead

The Ford Kuga was tested at an older average age (6.8 years against 3), and older cars fail more often whatever they are. That is why the table above also shows failures against cars of the same age, mileage and fuel: it compares the models, not their fleets.

Failure areas side by side

Share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and in brackets how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel (1.00 = national average). The clearest difference is steering, where the Jaguar I-Pace fails 7.7 times as often on an adjusted basis.

Ford Kuga vs Jaguar I-Pace MOT failures by area
AreaFord KugaJaguar I-Pace
Brakes4.6% (-7%)0.5% (-47%)
Steering0.8% (-31%)0.8% (+434%)
Suspension2.8% (-51%)0.2% (-87%)
Tyres5.5% (-11%)4.6% (-44%)
Road wheels0.2% (-35%)0.1% (-44%)
Lights, reflectors and electrical7.3% (+1%)1.5% (-43%)
Body, chassis and structure1.3% (-31%)0.1% (-53%)
Driver's view of the road4.3% (+16%)0.8% (-66%)
Noise, emissions and leaks1.7% (-12%)0.0% (-65%)
Seat belts and airbags0.3% (-44%)0.2% (-15%)
Registration plates and VIN0.2% (-26%)0.4% (+54%)

Pass rate at the same age

Comparing cars of the same age removes most of the fleet-age effect from the raw rates.

Ford Kuga vs Jaguar I-Pace MOT pass rate by age at test
Age at testFord KugaJaguar I-Pace
3-4 years86.9% (n = 121,013)92.0% (n = 18,006)
5-6 years84.3% (n = 141,532)89.5% (n = 2,414)

Most common failure item

  • Ford Kuga · brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick (2.78% of tests)
  • Jaguar I-Pace · condition: has a cut in excess of the requirements deep enough to reach the ply or cords (2.38% of tests)

MOT results reflect how cars are maintained as well as how they are built, so a gap between two models is a difference in test performance, not proof that one is more reliable. For one car, its own MOT history says more than any average.

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About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.