Ford Explorer MOT pass rate and common problems
79.3% of 1,106 Ford Explorer MOT tests pass.
The Explorer has a pass rate of 79.3%, a little higher than the average across all Ford models (76.4%).
The Ford Explorer's pass rate of 79.3% is in line with the national average for cars, at 79.2%.
Own this Ford Explorer?
This is the average across every Ford Explorer in the dataset. Look up your own registration for its actual MOT history, and a free place to keep its maintenance records.
Have service invoices? Upload and keep them with your car’s history →
How to check and keep your Ford’s service history →
Pass rate by vehicle age
Pass rate declines noticeably with age, from 87.2% at 3–6 years to 75.1% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (19) | 19 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 87.2% | 47 | 48,675 miles |
| 6–10 years | 90.7% | 86 | 76,190 miles |
| 10–15 years | 93.0% | 128 | 88,189 miles |
| 15+ years | 75.1% | 826 | 98,490 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Ford Explorer
The most common reason the Ford Explorer fails its MOT is suspension — present in 59.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Ball joint excessively worn".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 59.6% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 52.4% | Not working |
| Brakes | 52.4% | Efficiency less than 50% of the required value |
| Body, chassis, structure | 28.8% | Or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 21.2% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Visibility | 16.1% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 15.4% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Tyres | 11.6% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Steering | 6.5% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Identification of the vehicle | 3.1% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Ford Explorer: what to check
These checks follow the Ford Explorer’s own MOT record: the areas it fails on most often, and how that changes as the car gets older. None of them replaces a mechanic’s inspection, but they tell you where to look first.
The biggest drop in pass rate for the Ford Explorer comes between 10–15 years and 15+ years old, from 93.0% to 75.1%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 30,000–60,000 mi to 60,000–90,000 mi: 93.5% down to 73.5%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Suspension
Recorded in 59.6% of failed Ford Explorer MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 20.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
Listen for knocks over bumps and speed humps, and check the car sits level. Push down on each corner: it should settle rather than keep bouncing.
2. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 52.4% of failed Ford Explorer MOTs.
Walk round with the lights on: headlights (dipped and main), indicators, brake lights, fog light and number-plate lamp. Check the dashboard warning lights come on with the ignition, then go out once the engine starts.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 52.4% of failed Ford Explorer MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 18.3% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes.
On the test drive, the car should stop straight without pulling or juddering, and the handbrake should hold it on a slope. Look through the wheels for scored or heavily lipped discs.
4. Bodywork and corrosion
Recorded in 28.8% of failed Ford Explorer MOTs. 9.7% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion, against 4.3% at 3–6 years.
Look underneath and along the sills for corrosion, especially near suspension and seat-belt mountings. Uneven panel gaps or mismatched paint can indicate accident repair.
5. Seat belts and airbags
Recorded in 21.2% of failed Ford Explorer MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 7.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on seat belts and airbags.
Pull every seat belt out fully and let it retract. Check the buckles latch and release, and that the airbag warning light goes out after starting.
Check the car’s own MOT history. Averages describe the model, not the car in front of you. Look up its registration for past failures, advisories that were never fixed, and gaps or dips in the recorded mileage.
Ask for the service history. Invoices show what was done and when; a stamp alone shows less. See how to check Ford service history and what a service history check can tell you.
Related Ford models
- Ford Kuga Titanium FRST — 96.5% pass rate
- Ford Transit Custom 300 Trail — 86.4% pass rate
- Ford Benimar — 96.0% pass rate
- Ford Kuga ST-Line First Ed E-Blue — 93.3% pass rate
- Ford Cortina — 89.0% pass rate
- Ford Sierra Sapphire — 93.2% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Ford Explorer?
- 79.3% of Ford Explorer MOT tests pass, based on 1,106 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Ford Explorer?
- The most common reason the Ford Explorer fails its MOT is suspension — present in 59.6% of failed tests, most often logged as "Ball joint excessively worn".
- What are the common problems with the Ford Explorer?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Ford Explorer are suspension; lights and electrics; brakes. Rare on young cars, but 20.6% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used Ford Explorer?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: suspension; lights and electrics; brakes; bodywork and corrosion; seat belts and airbags. Then check the specific car's MOT history by registration for failures, advisories and mileage, and ask the seller for service invoices.
- Does this show the Ford Explorer's service history?
- No — this is MOT test data, which covers roadworthiness, not servicing. A service history is a separate record of maintenance work, which a specific car only has if its owner has kept it. See the Ford service history guide for how to check and keep one.