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Ford Ranger reliability

C · Average

MOT pass rates and common problems from 799,126 MOT tests of cars first registered 1999–2023.

Jump to: YearsEnginesCommon failures
70.3%pass first time
−1.6 ptsvs typical car
Beats 41%of cars
799,126MOT tests

Verdict

The Ford Ranger passes its MOT first time on 70.3% of tests, 1.6 points lower than a typical car of the same age and mileage (71.8%). That puts it ahead of 41% of cars on UK roads once age and mileage are taken into account.

By year of first registration, the 2008 Ranger does best (beats 58% of cars) and the 2020 worst (beats 15%).

Of its engines, the 2.5 Diesel does best (beats 52%) and the 2.0 Diesel worst (beats 19%).

Better than average on tyres.

Watch these weak spots

Body & structure1.7×as often as a typical car
Rear fog light4.9×as often as a typical car
Coil springs1.9×as often as a typical car
Brake pipes2.8×as often as a typical car

MOT pass rate by age

First-time pass rate at each MOT by the car’s age in years.

50%60%70%80%90%3456789101112131415161718192083%77%73%68%61%56%55%54%54%
Ford RangerTypical car, same age & mileage

Best and worst years

By year of first registration, ranked against all cars on UK roads after adjusting for age and mileage. Green = better than half of cars.

1999
Beats 51%
2000
Beats 58%
2001
Beats 56%
2002
Beats 60%
2003
Beats 57%
2004
Beats 53%
2005
Beats 55%
2006
Beats 50%
2007
Beats 54%
2008
Beats 58%
2009
Beats 51%
2010
Beats 48%
2011
Beats 45%
2012
Beats 43%
2013
Beats 52%
2014
Beats 38%
2015
Beats 24%
2016
Beats 44%
2017
Beats 31%
2018
Beats 28%
2019
Beats 26%
2020
Beats 15%
2021
Beats 18%
2022
Beats 23%
2023
Beats 33%

Engines

All years, most common first. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

EngineYearsTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.2 Diesel2012–2020268,91276.4%Beats 35%D
2.5 Diesel1999–2012213,07555.7%Beats 52%C
2.2 Diesel2012–2019163,45772.1%Beats 32%D
2.0 Diesel2019–2023136,19680.0%Beats 19%E
3.0 Diesel2007–201117,48661.2%Beats 64%B

Where it fails

Each area compared with a typical car of the same age and mileage, in points of pass rate. Tap or hover an area to see what to check.

Exhaust: 3.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Suspension: 9.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Lights: 13.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 11.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Tyres: 3.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Brakes: 8.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Lights: 13.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 11.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−2.6 ptsTyres: 3.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+3.0 ptsBrakes: 8.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−1.3 ptsSuspension: 9.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−1.6 ptsExhaust: 3.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.7 ptsSuspension: 9.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Brakes: 8.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Tyres: 3.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Lights: 13.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 11.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Exhaust: 3.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Lights: 13.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 11.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.Lights−2.6 ptsTyres: 3.9% of tests fail on tyres, against 7.0% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Check the tread on every tyre, including the inner edge, and look for cuts or bulges.Tyres+3.0 ptsBrakes: 8.2% of tests fail on brakes, against 6.9% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Brake firmly on the test drive: the car should stop straight with no pulsing or grinding.Brakes−1.3 ptsSuspension: 9.7% of tests fail on suspension, against 8.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for knocks over speed bumps and push each corner down: it should settle at once.Suspension−1.6 ptsExhaust: 3.8% of tests fail on emissions & leaks, against 3.1% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Listen for a blowing exhaust at start-up and look underneath for oil or fluid leaks.Exhaust−0.7 pts
Better than typicalTypicalWorse than typical
Lights: 13.9% of tests fail on lights & electrics, against 11.3% for a typical car of the same age and mileage. Walk round the car with every light on, including brake, fog and number plate lights.

Every MOT area

Share of tests failing on each area, against a typical car of the same age and mileage (black line).

Lights & electrics
13.9% vs 11.3%
Suspension
9.7% vs 8.1%
Brakes
8.2% vs 6.9%
Body & structure
5.4% vs 3.2%
Visibility
4.1% vs 4.9%
Tyres
3.9% vs 7.0%
Emissions & leaks
3.8% vs 3.1%
Steering
1.7% vs 1.8%
Seat belts & airbags
0.9% vs 1.1%
Wheels
0.4% vs 0.4%

Buying one or MOT due? Check these

  • Coil springs 1.9× typical
    Look behind each wheel for a snapped coil (often the bottom one) and listen for clunks over bumps.
  • Shock absorbers 1.5× typical
    Push down hard on each corner: it should rebound once and settle. Look for oily dampers.
  • Headlight aim
    Park facing a wall at night: both dipped beams should sit level and dip to the left.
  • Sidelights
    Walk around with the lights on: bulb failures are the easiest MOT fails to avoid.
  • Headlight bulbs & units
    Check dipped and main beam on both sides.
  • Windscreen washers
    Test the washers and wipers: a cheap fix, but a very common MOT fail.

Pass rate by mileage

First-time pass rate by mileage at the test.

50%60%70%80%90%100%0k10k20k30k40k50k60k70k80k90k100k110k120k130k140k150k90%85%79%73%67%62%59%56%
Ford RangerTypical car

Most common MOT failures

ItemThis carTypicalvs typical
Coil springs3.7%1.9%1.9×
Headlight aim3.5%3.3%1.1×
Sidelights3.4%2.5%1.3×
Rear fog light2.8%0.6%4.9×
Headlight bulbs & units2.6%2.2%1.2×
Brake lights2.3%2.0%1.1×
Brake pipes2.2%0.8%2.8×
Windscreen washers2.0%2.1%0.9×
Drive shaft (CV) joints2.0%1.3%1.5×
Tyre tread depth1.9%2.9%0.7×

Specific defects found

Tester wording for the most frequent failure items, per 1,000 tests.

Defectper 1,000
A spring or spring component fractured or seriously weakened47.2
The aim of a headlamp is not within limits laid down in the requirements34.8
A lamp missing, inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning25.5
An obligatory rear fog lamp missing, or a front or rear fog lamp inoperative or in the case of a multiple light source more than 1/2 not functioning22.6
A headlamp or light source missing, inoperative or more than ½ not functioning in the case of LED20.9
A transmission shaft constant velocity joint boot missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc20.5
Windscreen washers not working or not providing sufficient fluid to clear the windscreen19.9
Tyre tread depth not in accordance with the requirements19.4
Check another car

Pick a make and model to see its MOT pass rate, best and worst years and weak spots.

Every year and engine

Tap a year to see its engines. Grades compare each car with cars of the same age and mileage (A = best 20% of cars on UK roads, E = worst 20%), so an older or higher-mileage car can grade above one with a higher pass rate.

2023 Ford Ranger1 engine82.2% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel4,50882.2%Beats 33%D
2022 Ford Ranger1 engine81.4% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel28,38981.4%Beats 23%D
2021 Ford Ranger1 engine80.2% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel47,81180.2%Beats 18%E
2020 Ford Ranger2 engines78.9% passE
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.0 Diesel34,93179.3%Beats 17%E
3.2 Diesel9,68977.5%Beats 8%E
2019 Ford Ranger3 engines78.6% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.2 Diesel40,21779.3%Beats 32%D
2.0 Diesel20,55778.3%Beats 23%D
2.2 Diesel9,02276.0%Beats 12%E
2018 Ford Ranger2 engines77.5% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.2 Diesel61,14978.2%Beats 31%D
2.2 Diesel21,05775.5%Beats 19%E
2017 Ford Ranger2 engines76.6% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.2 Diesel53,98677.1%Beats 33%D
2.2 Diesel19,26475.1%Beats 23%D
2016 Ford Ranger2 engines76.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.2 Diesel48,88576.7%Beats 46%C
2.2 Diesel33,31375.8%Beats 40%C
2015 Ford Ranger2 engines71.3% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
3.2 Diesel29,21172.0%Beats 27%D
2.2 Diesel26,86970.5%Beats 20%D
2014 Ford Ranger2 engines69.9% passD
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel21,50469.3%Beats 34%D
3.2 Diesel15,12170.9%Beats 43%C
2013 Ford Ranger2 engines68.7% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel19,56168.2%Beats 50%C
3.2 Diesel7,86269.9%Beats 58%C
2012 Ford Ranger3 engines64.3% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.2 Diesel12,86764.1%Beats 42%C
3.2 Diesel2,79263.2%Beats 39%D
2.5 Diesel2,07966.9%Beats 56%C
2011 Ford Ranger2 engines61.9% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel14,08761.5%Beats 44%C
3.0 Diesel1,26566.3%Beats 64%B
2010 Ford Ranger2 engines59.7% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel12,64359.2%Beats 46%C
3.0 Diesel1,56563.4%Beats 64%B
2009 Ford Ranger2 engines58.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel19,80857.4%Beats 48%C
3.0 Diesel4,75160.6%Beats 61%B
2008 Ford Ranger2 engines58.2% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel17,34157.3%Beats 55%C
3.0 Diesel5,90760.9%Beats 66%B
2007 Ford Ranger2 engines55.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel29,75255.2%Beats 52%C
3.0 Diesel3,99860.1%Beats 66%B
2006 Ford Ranger1 engine54.0% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel29,20054.0%Beats 50%C
2005 Ford Ranger1 engine54.3% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel25,47954.3%Beats 55%C
2004 Ford Ranger1 engine52.8% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel23,50152.8%Beats 53%C
2003 Ford Ranger1 engine53.6% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel13,81753.6%Beats 57%C
2002 Ford Ranger1 engine54.6% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel10,01354.6%Beats 60%C
2001 Ford Ranger1 engine54.2% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel7,37954.2%Beats 56%C
2000 Ford Ranger1 engine56.4% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel5,66156.4%Beats 58%C
1999 Ford Ranger1 engine55.6% passC
EngineTestsPass rateRankGrade
2.5 Diesel2,31555.6%Beats 51%C

FAQ

What is the Ford Ranger MOT pass rate?

70.3% of MOT tests on the Ford Ranger were passed first time, based on 799,126 tests between 2018 and 2026 of cars first registered 1999–2023. A typical car of the same age and mileage passes 71.8% of the time.

Is the Ford Ranger reliable?

On MOT results it rates C (average): it passes first time less often than a typical car of the same age and mileage and does better than 41% of cars on UK roads. MOT results cover safety and emissions items, not every kind of breakdown.

Which Ford Ranger year is best?

Among years with enough data, the 2008 Ranger does best for its age and mileage: it beats 58% of cars on UK roads. The 2020 does worst: it beats 15%.

Which Ford Ranger engine is best?

Across all years, the 2.5 Diesel does best: it beats 52% of cars on UK roads. The 2.0 Diesel does worst: it beats 19%.

What are the most common MOT failures on the Ford Ranger?

The most common failure items are coil springs, headlight aim, sidelights. Compared with similar cars, rear fog light comes up 4.9× as often.

How we calculate this. We use official MOT results for cars tested in Great Britain from 2018 to 2026. Each car is compared with typical cars of the same age and mileage, so old and new cars are judged fairly; “pts” are percentage points above or below them. Differences also reflect how cars are used and maintained, not only how they are built.