Ford Ranger: what fails at MOT
183,000 MOT tests on the Ford Ranger in 2024, counted. 23.6% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
23.6% of Ford Ranger tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 19.9%, so the Ranger does worse than most cars its age.
It fails most often on lights and electrics (6.5% of tests), suspension (5.3% of tests) and brakes (3.9% of tests). It fails on lights and electrics, suspension and brakes more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 25,492 | 14.4% | 10.9% | 38,100 26,300 to 53,400 |
| 2020 | 21,805 | 16.1% | 11.5% | 45,800 32,500 to 63,600 |
| 2019 | 25,368 | 18.4% | 13.4% | 55,100 39,900 to 75,700 |
| 2018 | 24,233 | 21.0% | 15.6% | 65,200 47,800 to 87,600 |
| 2017 | 19,210 | 21.1% | 18.2% | 73,100 54,100 to 96,000 |
| 2016 | 18,586 | 24.2% | 21.3% | 80,800 61,600 to 102,200 |
| 2015 | 10,330 | 29.2% | 24.4% | 87,100 67,400 to 111,800 |
| 2014 | 6,744 | 30.3% | 27.7% | 96,100 73,200 to 120,700 |
| 2013 | 5,306 | 30.2% | 30.6% | 103,700 79,800 to 129,500 |
| 2012 | 3,218 | 34.6% | 33.4% | 110,400 85,200 to 135,900 |
| 2011 | 2,261 | 39.5% | 36.1% | 117,700 91,300 to 148,200 |
| 2010 | 2,120 | 42.6% | 38.6% | 122,700 91,800 to 151,600 |
| 2009 | 3,345 | 43.0% | 39.8% | 122,400 93,300 to 153,200 |
| 2008 | 3,053 | 41.9% | 41.5% | 127,600 99,300 to 160,500 |
| 2007 | 3,930 | 43.1% | 41.5% | 134,400 105,100 to 166,000 |
| 2006 | 3,302 | 45.9% | 42.4% | 130,300 101,200 to 161,000 |
| 2005 | 2,722 | 43.9% | 42.2% | 124,600 94,300 to 155,200 |
| 2004 | 2,359 | 44.5% | 42.3% | 128,200 99,800 to 156,800 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Ford Ranger tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Ranger | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Lights and electrics More than most | 6.5% | 4.6% |
| Suspension More than most | 5.3% | 3.3% |
| Brakes More than most | 3.9% | 3.0% |
| Body and structure More than most | 2.2% | 1.3% |
| Exhaust and emissions More than most | 2.2% | 1.3% |
| Tyres Less than most | 2.1% | 3.7% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 1.9% | 2.4% |
| Steering | 0.9% | 0.7% |
The parts that fail most
- Coil spring2.7%
- Headlamp aim1.8%
- Side light1.5%
- Headlamp1.4%
- Engine warning light1.3%
- Brake pads1.1%
- Rear fog light1.1%
- Tyre1.1%
- Washers1.0%
- Brake light1.0%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Coil spring: fractured or broken2.7%
- Engine warning light: inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.3%
- Side light: not working1.3%
- Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick1.0%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.0%
- Headlamp: not working on dipped beam0.9%
- Headlamp aim: too high0.9%
- Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault0.8%
- Brake light: not working0.8%
- Rear fog light: not working0.8%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge8.4%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.3%
- Brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material3.1%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened2.5%
- Engine oil: leak, but not excessive2.5%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing1.3%
- Ball joint: has slight play1.2%
- Chassis condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced1.1%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “Is there any corrosion underneath or around the sills and arches?”
Check a Ford Ranger's own MOT record
Looking at a Ranger? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.