Ford F-150 Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford F-150 car check
Is the Ford F-150 reliable? We analysed 846 real MOT tests across 103 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford F-150? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford F-150 is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include fog lamp not working, brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick and position lamp(s) not working. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford F-150.
Ford F-150 Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford F-150. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford F-150 MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford F-150 to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford F-150 Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford F-150 fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford F-150 Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford F-150 owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford F-150 MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford F-150 year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 71 | 87.3% | 19,144 | 49,557 | 100,676 |
| 2005 | 98 | 70.4% | 67,829 | 115,876 | 192,437 |
| 2004 | 164 | 79.9% | 36,649 | 60,184 | 94,126 |
| 2003 | 62 | 83.9% | 44,184 | 90,464 | 118,797 |
| 2000 | 72 | 79.2% | 56,469 | 70,948 | 93,600 |
How Long Does a Ford F-150 Last?
Based on 103 Ford F-150 vehicles on UK roads.
Ford F-150 Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford F-150 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 F-150
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
87.3% MOT pass rate from 71 tests
70.4% MOT pass rate from 98 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford F-150 is 2007, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 87.3% across 71 tests. The 2005 model year has the lowest pass rate at 70.4% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford F-150 Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 THIS CAR | 76.8% | 846 | 72,950 mi | 26 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 |
| Vauxhall Vectra Sri Cdti | 69.2% | 885 | 143,972 mi | — yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford F-150 outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford F-150 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 F-150Should you buy a used Ford F-150?
The Ford F-150 has an overall MOT pass rate of 76.8% across 846 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 F-150 are fog lamp not working (21 recorded failures), brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick (16), and position lamp(s) not working (12). 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 F-150 owner drives around 3,637 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 F-150 models stay on UK roads for around 26 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.