Ford Cougar (2001)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 263 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,958

£247/month

MOT Pass Rate

76%

Average

Road Tax

£445

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 25-38

2495cc Petrol

Check Carefully

76% pass rate, £2,958/year to run. 6 points below average.

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Petrol2495cc25 years old263 tests95k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 2495cc)

~30 mpg

£1,958

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£445

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,958

Per month£247/mo

Per week£57/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

76% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 6 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Ford brand average of 85%.

76% of MOT tests on Ford Cougars from 2001 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 23 years old. That's based on 263 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 94,678 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2001 models118th of 350(top half)

Rank among Ford models883rd of 1,136(bottom 23%)

vs average of all models-6%(82% avg)

vs 2001 models average+3%(73% avg)

vs Ford average-9%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

94,678

Average miles

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2001 Ford Cougar had 94,678 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Ford Cougar by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2001	76%	263	94,678 mi
2000	70%	288	91,486 mi
1999	71%	452	86,706 mi
1998	58%	84	101,624 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

Renault Clio

2003 · 1998cc Petrol

£2,711/year

68%

-8%

BMW 3 Series

1999 · 2494cc Petrol

£2,888/year

78%

+2%

Mercedes CLK

2003 · 2295cc Petrol

£2,958/year

78%

+2%

BMW Z4

2003 · 2494cc Petrol

£2,958/year

79%

+3%

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About the 2001 Ford Cougar

The 2001 Ford Cougar is a large car. Our records list a 2495cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 263 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all models from 2001, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 94,678 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Ford Cougar owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2001 Ford Cougar Fuel Costs

The 2495cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,958 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2001 Ford Cougar?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,958 (£247/month), broken down as £1,958 fuel, £445 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 76% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

Ford Cougar Reliability Trend

The Ford Cougar has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2001 Ford Cougar

At 25 years old, the Ford Cougar is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age.

Common Issues to Watch For

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 25 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 95k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2001 Ford Cougar stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Ford Cougar(2001)	76%	£1,958	£445	Grp 25-38	£2,958
Renault Clio(2003)	68%	£1,631	£325	Grp 18-32	£2,711-£247
BMW 3 Series(1999)	78%	£1,958	£375	Grp 25-38	£2,888-£70
Mercedes CLK(2003)	78%	£1,958	£445	Grp 25-38	£2,958same
BMW Z4(2003)	79%	£1,958	£445	Grp 25-38	£2,958same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2001 Ford Cougar

Is the 2001 Ford Cougar reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 76% of MOT tests on 2001 Ford Cougars ended in a pass, from 263 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 6 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2001 Ford Cougar cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,958 a year (£247 a month): £1,958 fuel, £445 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2001 Ford Cougar?

76% of 263 MOT tests on the 2001 Ford Cougar ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 118th of 350 models first registered in 2001 (top half).

Which year Ford Cougar has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2001 Ford Cougar has the highest MOT pass rate at 76% and the 2000 the lowest at 70%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2001 Ford Cougar?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2001 Ford Cougar is 94,678 miles, which is below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.