Ford Kuga 2018 Zetec 1.5l TDCI - Any advice?

[Thadcroft]

Hi,

Just want to say hello, it’s my first time on the Ford Forum.

I absolutely love Ford’s. I previously drove a 2015 Fiesta Eco-boost which was honestly perfect. Extremely good MPG and cheap to run, £0 Road tax.

Now I decided to part-ex for a larger car, and was looking at a Kuga for some time. On reaching the dealers on Saturday, he seemed very eager to get me on a test-drive and drive my Fiesta to get a valuation. I said ok however was feeling very overwhelmed as I haven’t been to a car dealership before (the Fiesta was passed down from my family, so was very lucky!) He asked me for what I wanted for the Fiesta and eventually did match it. He said it was a desirable car and they wanted it.

It all happened so fast, but the next bit resulted in me signing for the Kuga and swapping, paying the remaining via a very low finance payment every month. 

So far I am loving the Kuga and although it is a very powerful and high-up car, I hate driving it over bumps too fast! 
 

Anyway to my simple question really - does anyone have any advice for me? What are the common faults with the 2018 Kuga that I should be aware of? What are your experiences with this model? 

 

Thank you! Any advice is appreciated and taken on board.

 

PS - The car did come with a 15 month warranty, so I am covered if anything breaks mechanically. It also has relatively high mileage for its age - 125,000. After research, we found the 1 previous owner lived in Wrexham and did lots of trips across the country.

[alexp999]

The cam belt and aux belt were due at 120k miles. Do you know from the service history if they have been done?

[Thadcroft]

9 hours ago, alexp999 said:

The cam belt and aux belt were due at 120k miles. Do you know from the service history if they have been done?

Hi Alex,

 

I have not checked this. The dealer said it has passed its MOT on 24/7/23 with no advisories.

 

I will check the service history and see if it has. If not, I may take it in to a garage and ask them to check. If it does need replacing, it should be covered in the warranty anyway, should it?

 

The car has been running great. I checked under the bonnet and everything looked pristine. I will obviously however get the opinion from a professional.

[alexp999]

The belts are a wear and tear item and not normally covered by a warranty just because they need doing. I don't know if the warranty would pay out if they snapped as they are a service item, but then if it's also overdue at the point of sale....

However, I'd argue that they should have been done before you collected it if there is no proof it's been done, but it might be more difficult to have them do it now you've picked the car up and agreed to it. Hopefully they are amenable.

Is it full Ford service history? Or has it been done by independents? Do you know when it was last serviced and at what mileage?

[Thadcroft]

Hi again,

 

So I do not have a service handbook - and after confirming with the dealer, it is because it has all been done online. I downloaded the Ford Pass app and it has had three services. 2 in 2021 and 1 in 2022. It was serviced at 120,000km (around 75,000 miles), 135,000 (83,000 miles) and the last at 150,000km (approx 93,000 miles). Since this, it has no service history and on the app, suggests it was due on 01-04-23. 

 

I called the dealer asking if a cam and aux belt has been replaced and they said they have no recollection of it being. They said 'for the sake of £300-£400 I'd get it replaced, just to be safe. They didn't budge on me asking if they could do it even though they sold it whilst it was due.

 

Additionally, I checked under the hood again and it looks as if the coolant has not even been topped up, as it only just reaches the minimum mark. Additionally, the brake and clutch fluid were also extremely low. Whilst this isn't likely an emergency, you'd think the dealer would at least top it up as a good-will gesture. 

 

Anyway, I'd like to thank you for letting me know about this. I was very naive and I guess overwhelmed by the thought of getting the car I'd always wanted the same day. Don't get me wrong, the dealer was nice and respectful however I feel a bit cheated and stupid as I should've checked these. I guess I'll have to go and get a full service and ask for them to check the cam belt whilst they're at it. I'll also have to get some more brake fluid and coolant as I don't want it to be running on minimum levels. 

 

If you have any other suggestions, please let me know. I do feel like an idiot, however I've learnt my lesson. Is there also places to order blank Ford Service handbooks from? As I don't always want to be going to Ford dealers as they're charge top price, and I'd rather get a stamp than a tick on an app. 

[TomsFocus]

I can totally understand the overwhelming situation at a car dealership.  Even with my level of vehicle experience, I've never found purchasing to be a pleasant event.

Just one suggestion regarding the brake fluid.  The brake pads are probably getting thin.  When that happens, the calliper piston sits further out so the fluid level drops in the reservoir.  You may need new pads fitted instead of a fluid top up.  You may also choose to have the brake fluid replaced, as it is recommended every 2 years.

[Thadcroft]

45 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

I can totally understand the overwhelming situation at a car dealership.  Even with my level of vehicle experience, I've never found purchasing to be a pleasant event.

Just one suggestion regarding the brake fluid.  The brake pads are probably getting thin.  When that happens, the calliper piston sits further out so the fluid level drops in the reservoir.  You may need new pads fitted instead of a fluid top up.  You may also choose to have the brake fluid replaced, as it is recommended every 2 years.

Thanks for the response.

Honestly I may just take it in (when I can afford it!) and ask for their honest advice on what they recommend needs replacing. Are brake pads expensive? 
Additionally, the car does come with 15 months warranty - however I am not 100% on what this covers. The dealer just said ‘anything mechanical’. I guess this also blinded me and caused me to be even more arrogant, as I just believed ‘ah it’ll get fixed under warranty’. I will have a thorough look through what is covered.

 

Again thanks for the advice. Any is appreciated! I just need to figure out prices of what needs replacing and doing. I don’t want things to get worse, however I, like many others, can’t afford scraping out for this and that, especially in this economic climate! I’ll do my best to see what needs fixing. All the best 🙂

[alexp999]

Anything mechanical which isn't a wear and tear item.

It won't cover belts, brake pads, brake discs, clutch plates, bulbs, wipers, batteries, tyres, etc.

It also won't cover anything which fails as a result of not following the manufacturer's recommended servicing schedule.

That's how most warranties work, although the devil is in the detail (small print). That said, you've also got 6 months (good) and up to 6 years (somewhat) consumer rights protecting you.

[TomsFocus]

10 minutes ago, Thadcroft said:

Thanks for the response.

Honestly I may just take it in (when I can afford it!) and ask for their honest advice on what they recommend needs replacing. Are brake pads expensive? 
Additionally, the car does come with 15 months warranty - however I am not 100% on what this covers. The dealer just said ‘anything mechanical’. I guess this also blinded me and caused me to be even more arrogant, as I just believed ‘ah it’ll get fixed under warranty’. I will have a thorough look through what is covered.

 

Again thanks for the advice. Any is appreciated! I just need to figure out prices of what needs replacing and doing. I don’t want things to get worse, however I, like many others, can’t afford scraping out for this and that, especially in this economic climate! I’ll do my best to see what needs fixing. All the best 🙂

It's all relative but brake pads aren't generally expensive.  Discs are a bit more expensive if they also need replacing.  And then it's possible that the rear ones may need doing as well at that mileage.  So very difficult to estimate online!  As a rough ballpark figure, you're probably looking at around £100 for just front pads replaced, or £200 for front pads & discs.  Plus around £40 for brake fluid change if desired.  (At an independent garage).

If you have a full/major service carried out at a chain garage (ProTyre, Kwik Fit, Halfords, F1, etc) they will usually measure the brake pads and give you a detailed print out of exactly how many mm's of friction material is left.  If you have a Ford dealer service, they only check brake pads on specific mileage services, so you won't always get those details from them.

As Alex says, sales warranty doesn't cover everything, you would have to read the small print to check exactly what it covers.  Anything that is designed out over time (brakes, tyres, clutch, etc) won't be covered.

[Thadcroft]

Thank you both for the information!

 

I now know what to look out for. The brake discs look relatively new but obviously I’ll get these checked. On the FordPass app, it suggested that the last service SHOULD have been in April this year. It had an MOT on 27/07/23, the same week we got it. It didn’t have any advisories.

 

The FordPass app says its last service was at 102,018 miles. It has done 125,645 so I think one is overdue. 
 

Fingers crossed that nothing major is needing to be fixed! But thank you for the advice. Is there a certain coolant and/or clutch fluid that you recommend for Ford Kuga’s? 
 

As you can probably tell - I’m very much a newbie when it comes to car mechanics. My grandfather told me quite a bit about them however I’ve never had such a nice car like this Kuga before, so just wanted to look after it the best I can!

Thanks again everyone 🙂

[TomsFocus]

MOT only checks basic safety items.  Wheels aren't removed so unless they can see the pads clearly through the wheel spokes, they can't advise on those.

I'd say an oil & filter change is needed at the very least if it hasn't been done in 23,000 miles.  Tbh I would push the salesman on that, as they should have done that during the sales prep.

Any DOT4 brake fluid should be fine, but you can buy genuine Ford stuff on eBay for a reasonable price if you want total peace of mind.

Coolant specs are in the manual (accessed through FordPass app).  I believe it'll be pink in these but again, you can buy genuine stuff on eBay.  If you buy genuine, it comes concentrated and should be diluted by roughly half with water.

[alexp999]

3 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

 

Coolant specs are in the manual (accessed through FordPass app).  I believe it'll be pink in these but again, you can buy genuine stuff on eBay.  If you buy genuine, it comes concentrated and should be diluted by roughly half with water.

Distilled water, not tap though I think?

[Thadcroft]

Thank you again TomsFocus, much appreciated.

 

I did call asking the dealer if oil & coolant had been replaced and they said it had not however they recommend me to get it changed. They didn’t agree with me bringing it back for them to do it, so sounds like I’m sorting it myself. Annoying but then again, I should’ve checked this over more thoroughly before taking it home.

Are there any visual checks I can make myself which could suggest anything that may need replacing - oil filter etc. I am just hoping that it will be ok until next month really, as I’d rather save and have everything be done in one go - for peace of mind. I’m going to get some fluid and coolant myself and fill those up. 
 

The car itself runs great though, and I have not heard any odd noises or felt anything unusual. I am not doing crazy mileage on it, just basic travel for work. I will keep you updated if anything changes and will keep asking for advice! I’m loving the Kuga but I just want to look after it the same I did the Fiesta.

 

Many thanks again to those who’ve given me tips and advice. Hope you all have a great weekend.

[TomsFocus]

The oil filter definitely needs changing after 23k, can't really be checked visually.  It should be ok to leave it another month though.

You can check the air filter yourself if you like.  Just unclip or unscrew the lid to remove that and see how dirty it is.

[TomsFocus]

47 minutes ago, alexp999 said:

Distilled water, not tap though I think?

Technically yes, but tap water is generally fine.  You can run it through a Brita type water filter first or leave it in a bottle overnight beforehand if you prefer.

[alexp999]

8 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Technically yes, but tap water is generally fine.  You can run it through a Brita type water filter first or leave it in a bottle overnight beforehand if you prefer.

I’m more conscious of the potential limescale. I swear there is more calcium in our tap water than there is in milk. 

[TomsFocus]

29 minutes ago, alexp999 said:

I’m more conscious of the potential limescale. I swear there is more calcium in our tap water than there is in milk. 

That's what a Brita filter removes.  For people living in soft water areas it shouldn't be a problem.

[alexp999]

49 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

That's what a Brita filter removes.  For people living in soft water areas it shouldn't be a problem.

It really doesn’t make much difference unfortunately, at least not in my experience.