2003 Ford Ranger · 4,197 MOT tests
2003 Ford Ranger reliability
2003 Ford Rangers fail 43.8% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 5 of 22 Ranger years (4,197 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Ford Rangers: 27.6%)
- 43.8%
- first-time fail rate (all Ford Rangers: 27.6%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 2% fewer
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- 128,645
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 19
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 4,197
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2003 against the years either side
- 2002 cars: 5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age (the 2003 car does worse)
- 2004 cars: about average for its age (the 2003 car does better)
- Weak spot: body, chassis and structure, 18.2% of tests fail here (76% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 53% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2003 car carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
Common problems
What fails on a 2003 Ford Ranger
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics25.6%
- Body, chassis and structure18.2%
- Brakes16.4%
- Suspension14.6%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.2%
- Tyres3.9%
- Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
CV joint boot split or insecure 7.48%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Rear fog lamp not working 6.98%
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
Position lamp not working 6.29%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 4.31%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Headlamp aim set too low 3.88%
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Stop lamp not working 3.5%
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (25.09%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (10.65%) · Chassis corroded but still rigid (9.27%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (8.29%) · Number plate lettering deteriorating (6.48%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (5.81%)
Other years
Every Ford Ranger year
The full picture: Ford Ranger reliability. Before you pay for any Ford Ranger, a Full Check (£9.99) shows finance, stolen and write-off records the MOT can't.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 normal tests.
Is a 2003 Ford Ranger reliable?
2003 Ford Rangers fail 43.8% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 5 of 22 Ranger years (4,197 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2003 Ford Ranger MOT?
Most often cv joint boot split or insecure (7.48% of tests), rear fog lamp not working (6.98% of tests), position lamp not working (6.29% of tests).
How many miles should a 2003 Ford Ranger have done?
At its MOT aged about 19, a typical 2003 Ford Ranger shows 128,645 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2003 car?
A car first registered in 2003 carries a 52 plate (January–February 2003), or a 03 plate (March–August 2003), or a 53 plate (September–December 2003).
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