Ford F150 MOT pass rate and common problems
84.6% of 1,520 Ford F150 MOT tests pass.
The F150 passes its MOT 84.6% of the time — well above the average across all Ford models, which sits at 76.4%.
The Ford F150 passes its MOT 84.6% of the time — well above the national average for cars, which sits at 79.2%.
Own this Ford F150?
This is the average across every Ford F150 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 95.0% at 3–6 years to 82.4% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | too few tests (22) | 22 | no reading |
| 3–6 years | 95.0% | 101 | 34,601 miles |
| 6–10 years | 92.5% | 200 | 61,406 miles |
| 10–15 years | 81.0% | 232 | 94,063 miles |
| 15+ years | 82.4% | 965 | 104,437 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Ford F150
The most common reason the Ford F150 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 97.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 97.9% | Not working |
| Brakes | 52.3% | Excessively binding |
| Suspension | 31.3% | Ball joint excessively worn |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 17.4% | Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits |
| Visibility | 11.4% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Body, chassis, structure | 10.3% | Corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced |
| Tyres | 8.9% | Malfunctioning or obviously inoperative |
| Steering | 6.8% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Identification of the vehicle | 3.2% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 2.8% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
Buying a used Ford F150: what to check
These checks follow the Ford F150’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 F150 comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 92.5% to 81.0%. If you are looking at one in or just past that range, read its MOT history closely.
By mileage, the steepest fall is from 60,000–90,000 mi to 90,000–120,000 mi: 87.7% down to 79.2%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 97.9% of failed Ford F150 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.
2. Brakes
Recorded in 52.3% of failed Ford F150 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 13.3% 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.
3. Suspension
Recorded in 31.3% of failed Ford F150 MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 8.2% 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.
4. Exhaust, emissions and leaks
Recorded in 17.4% of failed Ford F150 MOTs. 8.6% of tests at 10–15 years failed on exhaust, emissions and leaks, against 1.0% at 3–6 years.
Look under the car for fresh oil or coolant, and listen for blows or rattles from the exhaust. Watch for smoke from the tailpipe when the engine starts and when you accelerate.
5. Windscreen and wipers
Recorded in 11.4% of failed Ford F150 MOTs.
Look for windscreen chips and cracks in the driver’s line of sight, and check the wipers clear the screen and the washers work.
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 Roller Team — 93.4% pass rate
- Ford Chausson — 95.0% pass rate
- Ford Granada — 86.1% pass rate
- Ford Fiesta ST Performance — 91.3% pass rate
- Ford Freda — 57.1% pass rate
- Ford Kuga Titanium FRST — 96.5% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Ford F150?
- 84.6% of Ford F150 MOT tests pass, based on 1,520 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Ford F150?
- The most common reason the Ford F150 fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 97.9% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Ford F150?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Ford F150 are lights and electrics; brakes; suspension.
- What should I check when buying a used Ford F150?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; brakes; suspension; exhaust, emissions and leaks; windscreen and wipers. 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 F150'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.