Ford Ranger Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Ranger car check
Is the Ford Ranger reliable? We analysed 1,687,380 real MOT tests across 189,558 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Ranger? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Ranger is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include brake pipe excessively corroded, tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Ranger.
Ford Ranger Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Ranger. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Ranger MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Ranger to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Ranger Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Ranger fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Ranger Common Faults & Problems
These are the most common serious faults found on Ford Ranger models during MOT testing — flagged as dangerous or major failures that need immediate attention.
Ford Ranger Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Ranger owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Ranger MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Ranger year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4,657 | 84.7% | 27,482 | 41,255 | 58,336 |
| 2022 | 25,956 | 84.4% | 29,580 | 42,902 | 60,800 |
| 2021 | 48,289 | 83.7% | 32,175 | 46,616 | 65,171 |
| 2020 | 48,826 | 82.7% | 32,656 | 48,034 | 68,197 |
| 2019 | 81,145 | 82.5% | 34,960 | 52,236 | 74,869 |
| 2018 | 98,209 | 81.9% | 37,610 | 56,801 | 80,918 |
| 2017 | 93,277 | 81.8% | 39,935 | 59,881 | 84,452 |
| 2016 | 102,813 | 81.1% | 42,407 | 63,459 | 88,770 |
| 2015 | 73,657 | 77.7% | 45,504 | 68,037 | 94,615 |
| 2014 | 54,913 | 77.8% | 48,248 | 72,358 | 99,922 |
| 2013 | 47,402 | 77.5% | 50,754 | 75,712 | 103,747 |
| 2012 | 34,681 | 75.7% | 52,275 | 79,392 | 110,141 |
| 2011 | 32,413 | 74.2% | 54,750 | 84,999 | 118,534 |
| 2010 | 32,264 | 74.5% | 55,646 | 85,682 | 120,520 |
| 2009 | 64,184 | 73.4% | 55,556 | 86,225 | 121,107 |
| 2008 | 70,114 | 73.2% | 57,998 | 90,186 | 125,816 |
| 2007 | 117,756 | 72.4% | 62,093 | 94,364 | 130,353 |
| 2006 | 112,772 | 71.9% | 58,534 | 89,658 | 124,592 |
| 2005 | 114,916 | 71.5% | 58,782 | 89,399 | 123,468 |
| 2004 | 125,436 | 71.2% | 60,250 | 91,064 | 124,148 |
How Long Does a Ford Ranger Last?
Based on 189,558 Ford Ranger vehicles on UK roads.
Ford Ranger Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Ranger 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 Ranger
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
84.7% MOT pass rate from 4,657 tests
65.7% MOT pass rate from 137 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Ranger is 2023, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 84.7% across 4,657 tests. The 1992 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 Ranger Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Ranger THIS CAR | 75.4% | 1,687,380 | 77,077 mi | 27 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 |
| Volkswagen Bora | 71.9% | 807,643 | 97,539 mi | 27 yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Ranger outperforms both on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Ranger 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 RangerShould you buy a used Ford Ranger?
The Ford Ranger has an overall MOT pass rate of 75.4% across 1,687,380 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 Ranger are brake pipe excessively corroded (41,033 recorded failures), tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (22,758), and windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (19,813). 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.
On the safety side, the most frequently flagged dangerous fault is tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Dangerous faults cause an immediate MOT failure and mean the vehicle is not roadworthy until repaired. If you're viewing a Ford Ranger with an expired or recently passed MOT, ask the seller whether any dangerous faults were found and fixed during the last test.
A typical Ford Ranger owner drives around 7,432 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 Ranger models stay on UK roads for around 27 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.