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Rickman Ranger Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults

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Is the Rickman Ranger reliable? We analysed 1,047 real MOT tests across 142 vehicles to find out.

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Data last updated: · Based on 1,047 real MOT tests
MOT Pass Rate
77.2%
Typical Mileage
44,377mi
Annual Mileage
1,603mi/yr
Est. Lifespan
47yrs

The Rickman Ranger is above average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include steering rack gaiter split, parking brake recording little or no effort and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Rickman Ranger.

Rickman Ranger Number Plates

Number plates registered to a Rickman Ranger. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.

Rickman Ranger MOT Pass Rate by Year

How likely is a Rickman Ranger to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.

75.8%
1991
79.3%
1990
76.9%
1989
73.3%
1988
83.8%
1979

Rickman Ranger Problems — What Goes Wrong?

The most common reasons a Rickman Ranger fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.

Steering rack gaiter split 29
parking brake recording little or no effort 29
Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid 26
position lamp(s) not working 23
brake recording little or no effort 18
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 17
Stop lamp not working 17
brake binding 17
Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively 17
wheel bearing rough when rotated 14

Rickman Ranger Mileage — What's Normal?

How many miles does a typical Rickman Ranger owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.

Low usage
622 mi/yr
Typical
1,603 mi/yr
Average
2,447 mi/yr
Heavy usage
2,889 mi/yr

Rickman Ranger MOT Data by Registration Year

Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Rickman Ranger year you're looking at.

Year Tests Pass Rate Low Mi. Typical Mi. High Mi.
1991 66 75.8% 34,405 44,754 66,383
1990 135 79.3% 34,798 54,331 72,102
1989 225 76.9% 16,414 44,214 74,777
1988 60 73.3% 9,861 53,980 78,845
1979 74 83.8% 18,618 41,311 73,762

How Long Does a Rickman Ranger Last?

Based on 142 Rickman Ranger vehicles on UK roads.

Average
29.0 years
Median
30.0 years
Estimated max lifespan
47 years

Rickman Ranger Mileage Distribution

Total mileage recorded across all Rickman Ranger MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.

Median
44,377 mi
75th Percentile
70,702 mi
95th Percentile
93,248 mi
Max Recorded
961,982 mi

Best Year to Buy a Used Rickman Ranger

Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.

Best year
1979

83.8% MOT pass rate from 74 tests

Year to avoid
1988

73.3% MOT pass rate from 60 tests

The best year to buy a used Rickman Ranger is 1979, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 83.8% across 74 tests. The 1988 model year has the lowest pass rate at 73.3% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

How Does the Rickman Ranger Compare?

MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.

Model Pass Rate Tests Typical Mileage Lifespan
Rickman Ranger THIS CAR 77.2% 1,047 44,377 mi 47 yrs
Rover Coupe Auto 66.9% 674 91,482 mi 30 yrs
Mercedes 609D 66.6% 891 230,673 mi 39 yrs
Ajs Zn 77.6% 406 4,924 mi 11 yrs
Herald Motor Company Classic 82.6% 1,728 3,998 mi 11 yrs

Compared to the Rover Coupe Auto (66.9% pass rate) and the Mercedes 609D (66.6% pass rate), the Rickman Ranger outperforms both on MOT reliability.

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Should you buy a used Rickman Ranger?

The Rickman Ranger has an overall MOT pass rate of 77.2% across 1,047 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 Rickman Ranger are steering rack gaiter split (29 recorded failures), parking brake recording little or no effort (29), and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid (26). 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 Rickman Ranger owner drives around 1,603 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 Rickman Ranger models stay on UK roads for around 47 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.

Rickman Ranger — Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Rickman Ranger reliable?
Based on 1,047 MOT tests, the Rickman Ranger has a 77.2% pass rate — above the UK average, suggesting good reliability.
What are the common problems on a Rickman Ranger?
The most common MOT failures are steering rack gaiter split, parking brake recording little or no effort, and windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid. Check these on any test drive.
How many miles does a Rickman Ranger do per year?
The typical Rickman Ranger does around 1,603 miles per year. Anything significantly above or below this is worth investigating.
How long does a Rickman Ranger last?
Most Rickman Ranger models stay on UK roads for around 47 years based on our analysis of 142 vehicles.
Should I get a vehicle check before buying a Rickman Ranger?
Yes. An MOT pass rate tells you about the model in general, but a vehicle history check reveals the specific car's finance, stolen, write-off and mileage history — things the seller may not disclose.
What is the best year to buy a Rickman Ranger?
Based on MOT pass rates, the best year to buy a used Rickman Ranger is 1979 with a 83.8% pass rate across 74 tests.