The picture
Cougar: a below-average pass rate worth digging into
Across 707 MOT tests, the Cougar returns 67.2% first-time pass — well below the UK fleet average. The single most-logged Major fail is the strength or continuity of the load bearing. A weak handbrake and a lamp out round out the top three. Average tested mileage sits at 88,916, which is the lens to read those failure rankings through. If you own one and the next test is close, the ranked list below is a sensible pre-test checklist.
Top ten reasons for rejection.
- 01
The strength or continuity of the load bearing structure within 30cm of any sub-frame, spring or suspension component mounting (a 'prescribed area') is significantly reduced or inadequately repaired
60 occurrences · 8.5% of tests
- 02
Parking brake efficiency below minimum requirement
55 occurrences · 7.8% of tests
- 03
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning
48 occurrences · 6.8% of tests
- 04
Headlamp reflector or lens slightly defective
39 occurrences · 5.5% of tests
- 05
Brake pipe damaged or excessively corroded
35 occurrences · 5.0% of tests
- 06
A suspension pin, bush or joint excessively worn
33 occurrences · 4.7% of tests
- 07
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements
32 occurrences · 4.5% of tests
- 08
Parking brake inoperative on one side
28 occurrences · 4.0% of tests
- 09
A rear registration plate lamp or light source missing or inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources
27 occurrences · 3.8% of tests
- 10
Vehicle structure corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is seriously reduced
24 occurrences · 3.4% of tests
Counts cover Major and Dangerous defects logged at test. Advisory items excluded so this shows why a car was rejected, not just what the tester flagged in passing.
Worst-case fix budget · top 2 failures
£50–£170
If every one of this Cougar's most-logged Major fails hit at the same MOT, that's the real-world UK garage range. Reality is usually one or two items, not all of them. Open the estimator →
Try the calculator
Build your own retest budget.
Tools that pre-empt a retest.
Picked against this car's top failure patterns. Affiliate links to Amazon UK — we earn a small cut at no cost to you. Disclosed up-front, doesn't shape the data.
Buying or keeping a Cougar?
Use the failure ranking as a pre-test checklist or a haggling lever. Treat the headline pass rate as a fleet-wide trend, not a guarantee on any individual car.
If you own a Cougar and your last MOT looked nothing like the ranked failures above, that's normal — individual cars vary widely. The ranking shows the patterns testers flag most often across the country.