Ford Bronco Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Bronco car check
Is the Ford Bronco reliable? We analysed 736 real MOT tests across 169 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Bronco? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Bronco is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include parking brake: efficiency below requirements, brake hose excessively deteriorated and fog lamp not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Bronco.
Ford Bronco Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Bronco. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Bronco MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Bronco to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Bronco Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Bronco fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Bronco Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Bronco owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Bronco MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Bronco year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 54 | 79.6% | 96,956 | 139,486 | 144,270 |
| 1990 | 133 | 73.7% | 29,830 | 50,419 | 74,430 |
| 1988 | 67 | 76.1% | 19,752 | 44,483 | 55,012 |
| 1987 | 52 | 75.0% | 41,420 | 66,009 | 66,468 |
How Long Does a Ford Bronco Last?
Based on 169 Ford Bronco vehicles on UK roads.
Ford Bronco Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Bronco MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Ford Bronco
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
79.6% MOT pass rate from 54 tests
73.7% MOT pass rate from 133 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Bronco is 1993, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 79.6% across 54 tests. The 1990 model year has the lowest pass rate at 73.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford Bronco Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Bronco THIS CAR | 76.2% | 736 | 49,872 mi | 39 yrs |
| Ford Fiesta | 72.8% | 33,753,820 | 57,529 mi | 34 yrs |
| Ford Focus | 73.8% | 28,316,889 | 72,500 mi | 27 yrs |
| Ford Transit | 68.7% | 16,371,688 | 100,614 mi | 37 yrs |
| Audi Q3 SE TDI QUATTRO | 89.2% | 1,060 | 81,679 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Bronco outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Bronco you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Ford BroncoShould you buy a used Ford Bronco?
The Ford Bronco has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.2% across 736 real MOT tests — comfortably above the UK average, which puts it among the more reliable models on UK roads.
The most common problems on the Ford Bronco are parking brake: efficiency below requirements (15 recorded failures), brake hose excessively deteriorated (15), and fog lamp not working (14). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Ford Bronco owner drives around 859 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Ford Bronco models stay on UK roads for around 39 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.