CarCostCheck

FORD COUGAR (2001)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 263 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,577

£215/month

MOT Pass Rate

76%

Average

Road Tax

£430

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 25-38

2495cc Petrol

Check Carefully

76% pass rate, £2577/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

£1,592
Road Tax

Based on 2495cc

£430
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£2,577
Per month£215/mo
Per week£50/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

76% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 6 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the FORD brand average of 85%.

At 25 years old, 76% of FORD COUGARs from 2001 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 263 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 94,678 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2001 cars124th of 362(top 34%)
Rank among FORD models906th of 1,167(top 78%)
vs national average-6%(82% avg)
vs 2001 cars average+3%(73% avg)
vs FORD average-9%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

94,678

Average miles

vs

185,000

Expected for age

The average 2001 FORD COUGAR has 94,678 miles on the clock, which is below the expected 185,000 miles for a 25-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

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200176%26394,678 mi
200070%28891,486 mi
199971%45286,706 mi
199858%84101,624 mi

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About the 2001 FORD COUGAR

The 2001 FORD COUGAR is a large car with a 2495cc petrol engine. 263 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. Among all cars from 2001, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 94,678 miles at 25 years old, 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 £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2001 FORD COUGAR?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,577 215/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £430 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

Newer FORD COUGARs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 9 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

Based on the 2001 FORD COUGAR's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

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 annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
FORD COUGAR(2001)76%£1592£430Grp 25-38£2577
RENAULT CLIO(2003)68%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2217-£360
BMW 3 SERIES(1999)78%£1592£250Grp 25-38£2397-£180
MERCEDES CLK(2003)78%£1592£250Grp 25-38£2397-£180
BMW Z4(2003)79%£1592£250Grp 25-38£2397-£180

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Related Ford Models

Explore other Ford cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

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