Ford Explorer Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Explorer car check
Is the Ford Explorer reliable? We analysed 69,767 real MOT tests across 7,490 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Explorer? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Explorer is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, parking brake: efficiency below requirements and suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Explorer.
Ford Explorer Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Explorer. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Explorer MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Explorer to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Explorer Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Explorer fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Explorer Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Explorer owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Explorer MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Explorer year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 80 | 91.3% | 19,500 | 31,067 | 47,139 |
| 2017 | 117 | 87.2% | 17,991 | 36,636 | 47,264 |
| 2016 | 109 | 86.2% | 17,742 | 42,292 | 77,089 |
| 2015 | 108 | 82.4% | 31,120 | 59,843 | 81,529 |
| 2014 | 135 | 79.3% | 33,168 | 62,366 | 98,293 |
| 2013 | 149 | 81.9% | 30,405 | 69,860 | 98,735 |
| 2012 | 95 | 82.1% | 52,786 | 86,000 | 143,228 |
| 2011 | 76 | 86.8% | 29,980 | 56,355 | 83,517 |
| 2010 | 67 | 80.6% | 76,697 | 135,605 | 153,048 |
| 2008 | 125 | 78.4% | 50,445 | 68,242 | 91,350 |
| 2007 | 188 | 78.2% | 40,684 | 66,066 | 95,406 |
| 2006 | 318 | 73.3% | 41,813 | 67,630 | 95,785 |
| 2005 | 579 | 76.5% | 58,252 | 77,635 | 98,548 |
| 2004 | 633 | 76.5% | 57,468 | 78,744 | 107,189 |
| 2003 | 754 | 74.1% | 51,809 | 71,564 | 105,691 |
| 2002 | 650 | 72.3% | 63,470 | 91,064 | 122,062 |
| 2001 | 1,259 | 68.0% | 61,844 | 82,334 | 105,377 |
| 2000 | 13,412 | 67.8% | 64,978 | 85,719 | 108,820 |
| 1999 | 14,811 | 68.7% | 68,823 | 89,255 | 113,490 |
| 1998 | 18,242 | 67.4% | 74,151 | 92,272 | 112,854 |
How Long Does a Ford Explorer Last?
Based on 7,490 Ford Explorer vehicles on UK roads.
Ford Explorer Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Explorer 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 Explorer
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
91.3% MOT pass rate from 80 tests
65.7% MOT pass rate from 108 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Explorer is 2018, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 91.3% across 80 tests. The 1993 model year has the lowest pass rate at 65.7% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford Explorer Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Explorer THIS CAR | 68.5% | 69,767 | 90,322 mi | 29 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 |
| Aston Martin DB7 | 85.1% | 55,755 | 42,831 mi | 31 yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Explorer trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Explorer 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 ExplorerShould you buy a used Ford Explorer?
The Ford Explorer has an overall MOT pass rate of 68.5% across 69,767 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Ford Explorer are brake pipe excessively corroded (5,568 recorded failures), parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3,403), and suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2,515). 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 Explorer owner drives around 4,557 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 Explorer models stay on UK roads for around 29 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.