Ford Ranger MOT pass rate and common problems
81.3% of 200,158 Ford Ranger MOT tests pass.
The Ranger has a pass rate of 81.3%, a little higher than the average across all Ford models (76.4%).
The Ford Ranger has a pass rate of 81.3%, a little higher than the national average for cars (79.2%).
Own this Ford Ranger?
This is the average across every Ford Ranger 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 drops sharply with age: the Ford Ranger tested at 0–3 years pass 89.0% of the time, compared with just 64.7% at 15+ years.
| Vehicle age | Pass rate | Tests | Average mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 years | 89.0% | 19,589 | 41,503 miles |
| 3–6 years | 86.3% | 75,223 | 56,105 miles |
| 6–10 years | 81.2% | 65,544 | 82,417 miles |
| 10–15 years | 72.5% | 17,400 | 112,356 miles |
| 15+ years | 64.7% | 22,402 | 131,608 miles |
Common MOT failure reasons for the Ford Ranger
The most common reason the Ford Ranger fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 59.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
| Category | Share of failed tests | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 59.4% | Not working |
| Suspension | 38.4% | Fractured or broken |
| Brakes | 34.2% | Less than 1.5 mm thick |
| Body, chassis, structure | 19.0% | Constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt |
| Tyres | 15.0% | Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm |
| Visibility | 12.4% | Does not clear the windscreen effectively |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 12.2% | Inoperative or indicates a malfunction |
| Steering | 5.9% | Ball joint has excessive play |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 3.1% | Prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced |
| Identification of the vehicle | 2.8% | Does not conform to the specified requirements |
Buying a used Ford Ranger: what to check
These checks follow the Ford Ranger’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 Ranger comes between 6–10 years and 10–15 years old, from 81.2% to 72.5%. 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: 86.7% down to 80.7%. Mileage matters as well as age, so compare the car’s recorded mileages with its year.
1. Lights and electrics
Recorded in 59.4% of failed Ford Ranger MOTs. 39.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 6.5% at 0–3 years.
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. Suspension
Recorded in 38.4% of failed Ford Ranger MOTs. 19.8% of tests at 15+ years failed on suspension, against 3.4% at 0–3 years.
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.
3. Brakes
Recorded in 34.2% of failed Ford Ranger MOTs. 23.9% of tests at 15+ years failed on brakes, against 2.2% at 0–3 years.
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 19.0% of failed Ford Ranger MOTs. Rare on young cars, but 25.4% of tests at 15+ years failed on bodywork and corrosion.
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. Tyres
Recorded in 15.0% of failed Ford Ranger MOTs.
Check tread depth across the whole width of every tyre, including the inner edge. Uneven wear can point to alignment or suspension problems. Look for cuts and bulges in the sidewalls.
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 Ka — 72.6% pass rate
- Ford Transit Connect — 74.0% pass rate
- Ford Transit Custom — 85.5% pass rate
- Ford C-MAX — 75.3% pass rate
- Ford Ecosport — 86.0% pass rate
- Ford S-MAX — 71.8% pass rate
Frequently asked questions
- What is the MOT pass rate for the Ford Ranger?
- 81.3% of Ford Ranger MOT tests pass, based on 200,158 tests in the DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results dataset.
- What are the most common MOT failures for the Ford Ranger?
- The most common reason the Ford Ranger fails its MOT is lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment — present in 59.4% of failed tests, most often logged as "Not working".
- What are the common problems with the Ford Ranger?
- Going by its MOT results, the most common problem areas on the Ford Ranger are lights and electrics; suspension; brakes. 39.5% of tests at 15+ years failed on lights and electrics, against 6.5% at 0–3 years.
- What should I check when buying a used Ford Ranger?
- Start with the areas it most often fails its MOT on: lights and electrics; suspension; brakes; bodywork and corrosion; tyres. 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 Ranger'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.