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Pickup · 1996–2021 cars

Ford Ranger reliability

The Ford Ranger fails 27.6% of first MOT tests, 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 344,309 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

About averageReliability score 45/100#9 of 13 pickups

Checking a Ford Ranger before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
27.6%
first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
5% more
fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
344,309
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings
11,100
typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The first-time MOT fail rate for the Ford Ranger is 27.6%. Across 344,309 tests from 2022 to 2024, the Ford Ranger had 5% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, ranking it 9 of 13 pickup models. Results vary by year. 2021 cars had 12% fewer MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage, while 2018 cars had 13% more.

The Ford Ranger can still be a good buy if you check the right things. Look hard at the body, chassis and structure, where fails run 65% more than comparable cars. On the car you're viewing, check the coil springs for fractures or breaks, which caused MOT failures in 3.46% of tests. Then make sure the position lamps, rear fog lamp and dipped beam headlamps all work, as these were the next most common failures, at 2.32%, 1.48% and 1.47% of tests.

MOT fail rate by age

How the Ford Ranger ages

Each point is the share of Ford Rangers of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

0%12.5%25%37.5%50%3691215182124Age at MOT (years)
Ford RangerAll cars
Ford Ranger first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)Ford RangerAll cars
316.4%12.3%
419.5%14.1%
521.9%16.4%
623.9%19.1%
725.5%22.1%
828.4%25.5%
932.3%28.8%
1033.3%31.8%
1137.4%34.6%
1239.6%37.3%
1342.1%39.5%
1443.1%41.1%
1543.9%42.3%
1644.2%42.9%
1745.7%43.4%
1845.5%43.5%
1945.2%43.4%
2044.5%42.8%
2141%41.4%
2243.9%40.6%
2341.3%38.9%
2443.2%37.1%

By year

The best and worst Ford Ranger years

2021 cars come out best and 2018 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Ford Ranger MOT results by year of first registration
First registeredTestsFail rateAgainst same-age carsTypical mileage
2021 Ranger8,68712.7%12% fewer fails38,127
2020 Ranger25,08216.5%5% more fails44,670
2019 Ranger44,30518.7%12% more fails49,606
2018 Ranger52,27020.8%13% more fails56,724
2017 Ranger40,70122.8%9% more fails65,723
2016 Ranger39,56424.6%4% more fails73,878
2015 Ranger23,04830.4%13% more fails80,920
2014 Ranger15,05431.4%5% more fails89,491
2013 Ranger11,57532.1%3% fewer fails96,983
2012 Ranger7,28236.7%3% more fails103,364
2011 Ranger5,82239.8%4% more fails112,855
2010 Ranger5,38743.1%7% more fails116,554
2009 Ranger8,91242.9%2% more fails119,305
2008 Ranger8,22041.9%3% fewer fails125,478
2007 Ranger11,31544%1% fewer fails132,734
2006 Ranger9,69446.4%4% more fails127,268
2005 Ranger8,05544.9%0% more fails123,738
2004 Ranger7,20046.1%2% more fails127,035
2003 Ranger4,19743.8%2% fewer fails128,645
2002 Ranger2,99342.2%5% fewer fails135,065
2001 Ranger2,26544.4%2% more fails133,662
2000 Ranger1,74141.9%0% more fails125,885
199990442.7%6% more fails128,112

Common problems

What fails most on a Ford Ranger

Its weak spot is body, chassis and structure: 65% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

  • Lights and electrics12.5%24% above avg
  • Suspension9.3%25% above avg
  • Brakes7.4%18% above avg
  • Body, chassis and structure4.9%65% above avg
  • Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.8%31% above avg
  • Windscreen, wipers and mirrors3.6%18% below avg
  • Tyres3.5%46% below avg
  • Steering1.6%2% above avg
  • Seat belts and airbags0.9%10% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

  1. 1

    Coil spring fractured or broken 3.46% of tests

    A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.

  2. 2

    Position lamp not working 2.32% of tests

    A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.

  3. 3

    Rear fog lamp not working 1.48% of tests

    A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.

  4. 4

    Dipped beam headlamp not working 1.47% of tests

    A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.

  5. 5

    Tyre tread below 1.6mm 1.44% of tests

    Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.

  6. 6

    CV joint boot split or insecure 1.4% of tests

    A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.

  7. 7

    Brake pads worn below 1.5mm 1.4% of tests

    Pads worn below 1.5mm lose stopping power and can damage discs, so replacement is needed before the car is driven.

  8. 8

    Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 1.35% of tests

    Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Ford Ranger's MOT certificate most often.

  • Tyre worn close to legal limit9.92%
  • Brake pipes corroded and greasy6.4%
  • Brake pads wearing thin5.77%
  • Engine oil leak, not excessive3.69%
  • Brake disc pitted or scored3.21%
  • Chassis corroded but still rigid2.1%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Ford Ranger

  1. 1

    Coil spring fractured or broken

    A broken coil spring can leave the car sitting low or unstable, so it must be replaced before driving.

  2. 2

    Position lamp not working

    A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.

  3. 3

    Rear fog lamp not working

    A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.

  4. 4

    Dipped beam headlamp not working

    A failed dipped beam makes it hard to see and be seen at night, so the lamp needs fixing before driving.

  5. 5

    Every MOT since new

    Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.

  6. 6

    The mileage record

    A typical Ford Ranger covers about 11,100 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.

  7. 7

    Finance, stolen and write-off

    The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

  • Diesel99.9%
  • Petrol0.1%
  • Electric0%
  • Other0%

Most common colours

Black, White, Grey, Silver, Blue

Average engine size: 2.7 litres.

Compare

How the Ford Ranger compares with its rivals

Ford Ranger against similar models
ModelFail rateAgainst same-age cars
Volkswagen Amarok21.1%17% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Mitsubishi L20031.2%about average for its age
Toyota Hilux31.5%4% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Isuzu Rodeo44.1%4% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Ranger27.6%5% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Nissan Navara31.6%11% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Isuzu D-Max28.2%18% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every pickup ranked in the pickup reliability index, or all Ford models.

Questions

Ford Ranger questions, answered

Is the Ford Ranger reliable?

On MOT results, the Ford Ranger is about average: it fails 27.6% of first MOT tests, 5% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 9 of 13 pickup models in our index.

What fails most on a Ford Ranger MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Ford Ranger are coil spring fractured or broken (3.46% of tests), position lamp not working (2.32% of tests), rear fog lamp not working (1.48% of tests). By area, lights and electrics fails 12.5% of its tests.

Which Ford Ranger year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2021 cars do best (12% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2018 cars do worst (13% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Ford Ranger do a year?

A typical Ford Ranger covers about 11,100 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Ford Ranger before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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