2001 Ford Cougar — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 835 MOT tests analysed for the 2001 Ford Cougar, the most common recorded failure areas were brakes, suspension and lighting & signalling. Its pass rate of 70.7% was below the average for cars of a similar age (74.8%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 41.7% in the 150k+ group versus 29.0% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 17.8% | 149 |
| 2 | Suspension | 15.1% | 126 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 13.7% | 114 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 6.1% | 51 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.6% | 47 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.0% | 25 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rbt (sp) | 80 |
| 2 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 79 |
| 3 | Rigid brake pipes | 68 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 50 |
| 5 | Service brake performance | 49 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 42 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 42.9% | 358 |
| 2 | Suspension | 41.1% | 343 |
| 3 | Tyres | 20.6% | 172 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 15.2% | 127 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.4% | 112 |
| 6 | Other defects | 10.7% | 89 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 31 | 29.0% |
| 30-60k | 106 | 17.9% |
| 60-90k | 309 | 27.5% |
| 90-120k | 241 | 31.9% |
| 120-150k | 110 | 35.4% |
| 150k+ | 36 | 41.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 222 | 31.1% |
| 2022 | 189 | 29.1% |
| 2023 | 159 | 30.2% |
| 2024 | 140 | 29.3% |
| 2025 | 125 | 25.6% |
What to check before buying a 2001 Cougar
Before buying a 2001 Ford Cougar, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Brakes accounted for 17.8% of tests for this year.
- Brakes (17.8% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Suspension (15.1% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Lighting & signalling (13.7% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2001 Ford Cougars pass their MOT?
70.7% of the 835 2001 Ford Cougar MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 29.3% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2001 Ford Cougar?
Brakes, recorded in 17.8% of tests, followed by suspension (15.1%).
Does the 2001 Cougar get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 29.0% in the 0-30k band to 41.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 835 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.