2004 Ford Ranger · 7,200 MOT tests
2004 Ford Ranger reliability
2004 Ford Rangers fail 46.1% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 11 of 22 Ranger years (7,200 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
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- first-time fail rate (all Ford Rangers: 27.6%)
- 46.1%
- first-time fail rate (all Ford Rangers: 27.6%)
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- 2% more
- fails than cars of the same age and mileage
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- 127,035
- typical miles at its MOT, aged about 18
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
- 7,200
- MOT tests, 2022 to 2024
Year on year
2004 against the years either side
- 2003 cars: about average for its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- 2005 cars: about average for its age (the 2004 car does worse)
- Weak spot: body, chassis and structure, 19.8% of tests fail here (99% above cars of the same age and mileage).
- Strong point: exhaust, emissions and leaks, 54% fewer fails than comparable cars.
- Plates: a 2004 car carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
Common problems
What fails on a 2004 Ford Ranger
Fail rate by area
- Lights and electrics27.8%
- Body, chassis and structure19.8%
- Brakes17.5%
- Suspension15.5%
- Windscreen, wipers and mirrors7.8%
- Steering4.1%
- Tyres3.6%
Average for cars of the same age and mileage
Top failures
CV joint boot split or insecure 8.22%
A split CV boot lets dirt in and grease out, so the joint wears and may need full replacement.
Rear fog lamp not working 7.35%
A failed rear fog lamp reduces visibility in fog and leaves you less visible to following traffic, so repair it.
Position lamp not working 6.54%
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
Headlamp aim set too low 4.78%
Headlamps aimed too low light the road poorly and reduce the driver's view ahead, especially at night.
Rigid brake pipe excessively corroded 4.56%
Badly corroded brake pipes can leak or fail, which can cause a loss of braking, so repair is urgent.
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 4.12%
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
Common advisories
Brake pipes corroded and greasy (24.25%) · Tyre worn close to legal limit (10.31%) · Chassis corroded but still rigid (9.94%) · Engine oil leak, not excessive (7.54%) · Number plate lettering deteriorating (6.25%) · Tyre slightly damaged or cracking (5.72%)
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 2004 Ford Ranger reliable?
2004 Ford Rangers fail 46.1% of first MOT tests, about average for its age and mileage, ranking 11 of 22 Ranger years (7,200 DVSA tests, 2022 to 2024).
What fails on a 2004 Ford Ranger MOT?
Most often cv joint boot split or insecure (8.22% of tests), rear fog lamp not working (7.35% of tests), position lamp not working (6.54% of tests).
How many miles should a 2004 Ford Ranger have done?
At its MOT aged about 18, a typical 2004 Ford Ranger shows 127,035 miles. Much higher or lower is worth asking about.
What plate is a 2004 car?
A car first registered in 2004 carries a 53 plate (January–February 2004), or a 04 plate (March–August 2004), or a 54 plate (September–December 2004).
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