Ford Ranger common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Ford Ranger at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 99,238 UK MOT tests of the Ford Ranger in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is steering box (slight free play detected at steering wheel): recorded on 8.4% of tests of 2006–2008 cars at 160k+ mi (257k+ km), 84× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: coil spring (fractured or broken) (45×); leaf spring (fractured) (47×); chassis condition (corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced) (33×). The most common reasons a Ford Ranger fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); position lamp (not working); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Ford Ranger
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Ford Ranger than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering box: has slight free play detected at steering wheel | Advisory | 2006–2008 | 160k+ mi (257k+ km) | 8.4% | 0.1% | 84× | 2,178 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | MOT fail | 2019–2021 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 4.5% | 0.1% | 45× | 9,753 |
| Leaf spring: fractured | MOT fail | 2011–2013 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 4.7% | 0.1% | 47× | 1,301 |
| Chassis condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced | Advisory | 2009–2011 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 6.5% | 0.2% | 33× | 322 |
| Wheel bearings: has slight play | Advisory | 2009–2011 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 8.1% | 0.5% | 16× | 962 |
| Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault | MOT fail | 2014–2016 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 3.7% | 0.3% | 12× | 2,664 |
| Chassis condition: or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security | Advisory | 2005–2007 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 5.3% | 0.4% | 13× | 1,130 |
| Ball joint: ball joint has slight play | Advisory | 2019–2021 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 3.5% | 0.4% | 8.8× | 3,563 |
Ford Ranger by mileage (2018–2020 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 3,419 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (4%) | Coil spring: fractured or broken (3.1%, 31×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 12,660 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (13%) | Coil spring: fractured or broken (4.5%, 23×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 11,360 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (15%) | Coil spring: fractured or broken (6%, 15×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 6,577 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (15%) | Coil spring: fractured or broken (7.5%, 13×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 3,144 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (15%) | Coil spring: fractured or broken (8.3%, 10×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 1,302 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%) | Coil spring: fractured or broken (8.8%, 9.8×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 514 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (16%) | Coil spring: fractured or broken (8.9%, 11×) |
Ford Ranger by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 540 | Wheel bearings: has slight play at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (4×) |
| 2001 | 660 | Wheel bearings: has slight play at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (7.3×) |
| 2002 | 879 | Rear fog lamp: not working at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (5.9×) |
| 2003 | 1,239 | Chassis condition: or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (8.4×) |
| 2004 | 2,169 | Chassis condition: or chassis corroded within 30cm of a mounting, but not seriously affecting overall security at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (12×) |
| 2005 | 2,418 | Chassis condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (7.5×) |
| 2006 | 2,840 | Steering box: has slight free play detected at steering wheel at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (83×) |
| 2007 | 3,444 | Steering box: has slight free play detected at steering wheel at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (84×) |
| 2008 | 2,437 | Steering box: has slight free play detected at steering wheel at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (81×) |
| 2009 | 2,650 | Steering box: has slight free play detected at steering wheel at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (77×) |
| 2010 | 1,587 | Steering box: has slight free play detected at steering wheel at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (82×) |
| 2011 | 1,705 | Steering box: has slight free play detected at steering wheel at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (71×) |
| 2012 | 1,987 | Leaf spring: fractured at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (47×) |
| 2013 | 3,056 | Leaf spring: fractured at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (42×) |
| 2014 | 4,126 | Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (7.6×) |
| 2015 | 6,338 | Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (12×) |
| 2016 | 10,396 | Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault at 140k–160k mi (225k–257k km) (12×) |
| 2017 | 10,698 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) (6.6×) |
| 2018 | 13,931 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (9.4×) |
| 2019 | 14,230 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (31×) |
| 2020 | 11,167 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (45×) |
| 2021 | 487 | Coil spring: fractured or broken at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (46×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Ford Ranger?
In 99,238 UK MOT tests of the Ford Ranger in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is steering box (slight free play detected at steering wheel): recorded on 8.4% of tests of 2006–2008 cars at 160k+ mi (257k+ km), 84× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: coil spring (fractured or broken) (45×); leaf spring (fractured) (47×); chassis condition (corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced) (33×). The most common reasons a Ford Ranger fails its MOT are coil spring (fractured or broken); position lamp (not working); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt).
Why do Ford Rangers fail the MOT?
Across 99,238 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Ford Ranger were coil spring (fractured or broken) (6.5% of tests); position lamp (not working) (8.1% of tests); joints (constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt) (8.3% of tests).
At what mileage do Ford Ranger problems start?
The clearest Ford Ranger-specific issue, steering box (slight free play detected at steering wheel), peaks against other cars at 160k+ mi (257k+ km) on 2006–2008 cars (8.4% of tests vs 0.1% for all cars that age).
Where does this Ford Ranger data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 99,238 tests of the Ford Ranger. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.