Ford Kuga vs Toyota RAV4: which is the better used buy?

On DVSA MOT records the Toyota RAV4 is the more reliable used buy: it passes its first MOT 2.7 percentage points more often than the Ford Kuga once both are compared against what the national fleet scores at the same age. That comparison covers 46,770 real tests, not a survey.

MOT first-time pass rate

Counted from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test records. “vs age-matched” compares each model against what the national fleet scores at the same age — the only fair better-or-worse number, because an older fleet fails more whatever its build quality.

Model	Pass rate	Age-matched national	Difference	Tests
Ford Kuga	83.4%	81.2%	+2.2	32,869
Toyota RAV4	82.6%	77.7%	+4.9	13,901

Source: DVSA MOT Anonymised Data 2025 (Open Government Licence v3.0). National first-time pass rate 77.3%. Applies to Great Britain — Northern Ireland is tested by the DVA under a separate manual.

Ford Kuga

Mk3, 2019+ · compact family PHEV/hybrid SUV

The Mk3 Ford Kuga (2019+) is the UK's most popular PHEV family SUV, widely chosen for BIK tax benefits. The headline risk on 2019–2020 PHEVs is a battery coolant leak — a safety recall was issued over potential fire risk. Always verify the recall is completed by VIN before buying any early PHEV. The 1.5 EcoBoost petrol also has a documented coolant-to-cylinder issue. Post-recall 2021+ PHEV and the simpler FHEV (mild hybrid) are significantly more reliable. Best buy: 2021+ PHEV (recall confirmed) or 2022+ FHEV. Worst: 2019–2020 PHEV without recall verification.

What goes wrong

PHEV battery coolant leak — fire risk recall (2019–2020)critical
Warning lamp on dashboard. In severe cases, smoke or burning smell near the battery pack. Most affected cars showed no warning before failure.
2019–2020 (PHEV variant only) · Covered free under recall — Ford UK replaced the battery coolant system. If not yet completed, budget £2,800–£4,500.
Check: Before purchasing any 2019–2020 Kuga PHEV: check the VIN via Ford UK or an authorised Ford dealer. If the recall has not been completed, do not buy until it is rectified. This is a fire-safety issue — non-negotiable.
1.5 EcoBoost coolant loss — cylinder head (2019–2021)major
Low coolant warning lamp; white smoke from exhaust on startup; creamy emulsion on the oil filler cap
2019–2021 (1.5 EcoBoost petrol and PHEV) · £800–£2,200 cylinder head gasket or EGR cooler repair; covered under Ford extended warranty TSB on qualifying VINs
Check: Inspect the oil filler cap for creamy residue (head gasket symptom). Check coolant level and colour. Ask the selling dealer if the TSB repair has been applied — Ford issued a Technical Service Bulletin for this issue; post-TSB cars are resolved.
SYNC 3 / SYNC 4 infotainment freezingmoderate
Touchscreen unresponsive or slow to wake; Apple CarPlay or Android Auto drops out; system reboots mid-journey
2019–2021 (SYNC 3 — more affected); 2022+ SYNC 4 improved · £0 — dealer or OTA software update resolves most cases
Check: During test drive, cycle through multiple menus, connect a phone via CarPlay, and check the system wakes quickly after startup. A free software update from a Ford dealer resolves most SYNC freezes. If the system crashes during your test, request the update before completing purchase.
Panoramic sunroof drain blockagemoderate
Water dripping into front or rear footwell; musty smell; staining on headliner fabric
All panoramic roof variants · £120–£350 drain flush and clear; £600–£1,200 headliner replacement if water-stained
Check: Check the front footwell carpet corners for dampness. A sunroof drain test (pour water around the seal edge, observe for leaks below) takes 2 minutes and can save a costly repair. Annual drain flush is good practice in the UK's wet climate.

Typical asking price:: £8,000–£30,000 (Mk3 2019–2023; PHEV/FHEV at the top end)
Real-world economy:: PHEV: 35–42 miles of official electric range depending on model year and wheel size — budget for 26–33 miles in real UK use and less in winter. Once the battery is flat it drives as an ordinary hybrid at roughly 39–49 mpg, so the economy you get depends almost entirely on whether you can charge at home. FHEV (non-plug-in): 40–47 mpg real-world UK mixed
Vehicle tax:: £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Years to avoid:: 2019, 2020

Full Kuga fault guide Used Fords

Toyota RAV4

XA50, 2019–2024 (Hybrid) · mid-size hybrid family SUV

The XA50 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (2019–2024) is among the most reliable SUVs sold in the UK, with fewer fault reports than any German rival in the same class. The main issues are EGR soot accumulation on petrol-only (non-hybrid) variants, occasional false radar warnings from the pre-collision system, and rear-seat ventilation noise on pre-2021 examples. Hybrids require no plug-in charging and are ideal for UK commuting. Best-buy years: 2021–2023. Worst: 2019 (software gremlins, recalled).

What goes wrong

Pre-collision system false alerts / phantom brakingmoderate
Sudden brief braking on open motorway or dual carriageway with no obstacle; "Pre-Collision Alert" warning appearing on clear roads; forward collision warning sounding without cause
2019–2020 (pre-software update) · Free under Toyota software update — dealer apply at next service
Check: Ask the dealer for confirmation that Toyota software update reference SB-0164B (or equivalent UK market version) has been applied. A quick 15-minute motorway stint during the test drive is the most direct check.
EGR soot and carbon buildup (2.5 petrol non-hybrid)moderate
Rough idle when cold; hesitation at low throttle; occasional check-engine light
2019–2024 (affects petrol-only variants more than hybrid — hybrids cycle the EGR differently) · Above 50,000 miles without regular servicing · £350–£600 EGR clean at a Toyota specialist; £800–£1,400 if EGR valve requires replacement
Check: Run the engine from cold — it should idle smoothly within 60 seconds. Hesitation or stumbling on cold mornings suggests EGR buildup. Service history should show 6,200 miles oil-change discipline. Avoid RAV4s with gaps in the Toyota stamp.
HVAC condensate accumulation (recall)minor
Water pooling in cabin; damp carpets in footwells unrelated to doors/windows; occasional musty smell after rain
2019 (recall issued) · Free under recall — Toyota UK dealer. Recall reference: EU recall ref 2019/433
Check: Verify recall completion via VIN at any Toyota UK dealer or the gov.uk recall checker (gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall). If not completed, insist the dealer does it before sale.
Hybrid battery — very long-term degradationminor
Slightly reduced mpg; less frequent EV-mode trips; battery gauge dropping faster in cold weather
All hybrids; typically year 8–10+ in UK conditions · 125,000+ miles (UK used-car context: rarely seen this high yet) · £3,000–£6,500 for battery replacement; Toyota 10-year warranty on hybrid battery still covers most UK used examples (verify original purchase date)
Check: Check the Toyota hybrid battery warranty status — Toyota UK covers the HV battery for 10 years / 150,000 miles from first registration, whichever comes first. All RAV4 Hybrids first registered post-2019 should still be under warranty until at least 2029. Verify by VIN.

Typical asking price:: £15,000–£40,000 (2019–2024; PHEV variants at the top end)
Real-world economy:: 49–57 mpg real-world for Hybrid — best in class for a non-plug-in mid-size SUV in UK mixed driving
Vehicle tax:: £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).
Best years:: 2021, 2022, 2023
Years to avoid:: 2019

Full RAV4 fault guide Used Toyotas

Which one suits you

Ford Kuga

Good for: Company car drivers benefiting from low BIK on PHEV (CO₂ under 50g/km). Families wanting a practical 5-seat SUV with home-charging for daily commutes. Buyers who charge at home and want meaningful EV range for short town journeys.

Less good for: 2019–2020 PHEV until confirmed recall is complete. Buyers who want plug-in simplicity should consider the simpler FHEV or Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. Diesel buyers doing short city journeys — DPF trouble is near-certain.

Toyota RAV4

Good for: Families wanting a reliable, low-running-cost SUV. Commuters doing mixed town/motorway miles who want the hybrid fuel savings without the hassle of plug-in charging. Buyers who prioritise long-term reliability over prestige badge.

Less good for: Buyers wanting a sporty drive — the RAV4 Hybrid prioritises economy over driver engagement. Off-road purists (the RAV4 has on-demand AWD via a rear electric motor, not a locking diff). Anyone wanting a third-row seat — the RAV4 is strictly 5-seat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more reliable, the Ford Kuga or the Toyota RAV4?

The Toyota RAV4. It passes its first MOT 2.7 percentage points more often than the Ford Kuga once both are age-adjusted, across 46,770 DVSA-recorded tests.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Ford Kuga?

83.4% of Ford Kugas pass their MOT first time, from 32,869 tests in DVSA's records. The national first-time rate is 77.3%, but cars of this model's age average 81.2% — so it runs 2.2 points better than its age group.

What is the MOT pass rate for the Toyota RAV4?

82.6% of Toyota RAV4s pass their MOT first time, from 13,901 tests. Against the 77.7% that cars of its age average, it runs 4.9 points better.

Which years should I avoid?

For the Ford Kuga, 2019–2020 Mk3 PHEV affected by a battery coolant leak recall involving potential fire risk. Ford issued a stop-sale and repair programme. Always verify by VIN whether the recall was completed before purchasing any 2019–2020 PHEV. For the Toyota RAV4, The 2019 launch year saw a Toyota recall (recall ref: 19V-752 in EU) for an HVAC condensate water accumulation issue that could trigger false airbag deployment warnings. Software for the pre-collision system was also immature — multiple UK owners reported phantom braking events on motorways. Both issues were corrected by 2021, but 2019 examples should have evidence of both recall completions.

Which is cheaper to run?

The Ford Kuga returns PHEV: 35–42 miles of official electric range depending on model year and wheel size — budget for 26–33 miles in real UK use and less in winter. Once the battery is flat it drives as an ordinary hybrid at roughly 39–49 mpg, so the economy you get depends almost entirely on whether you can charge at home. FHEV (non-plug-in): 40–47 mpg real-world UK mixed in real UK driving; the Toyota RAV4 returns 49–57 mpg real-world for Hybrid — best in class for a non-plug-in mid-size SUV in UK mixed driving. Vehicle tax: Kuga — £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).; RAV4 — £200/year standard rate from the second year, hybrids included — the alternative-fuel discount ended on 1 April 2025. Cars registered 2001–2017 pay a CO2 band, roughly £20–£790/year (2026/27 rates).. Insurance differs mainly by driver and postcode rather than by model, so treat any model-level insurance figure with caution.

MOT figures are counted from DVSA records and are the only measured statistic here. Prices, economy and tax bands are indicative and vary by specification, condition and where the car has lived. Last reviewed: 2026-08-14 / 2026-08-14.