Ford Ranger Car CheckFull history check, MOT history and common problems

Free Ford Ranger vehicle check by reg: MOT history, mileage and tax. Buying one? The full car history check shows outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, stolen markers, keepers and plate changes.

  • 78% MOT pass rate
  • 2,198 Rangers checked
  • 16.7% of Fords had outstanding finance

Ford Ranger reg check

Example: AB12 CDE (Free instant lookup)

Free MOT, mileage and tax check by reg or VIN. Full car history check from £3.99.

Full Ford Ranger history check from £3.99

The MOT record is free, and it only shows the car's condition on test day. What a seller may not mention is in the full Ford Ranger car check:

Of the 510 Ford vehicles checked with a full CarCheckUp report, 16.7% had outstanding finance recorded, 12.0% an insurance write-off record and 26.3% a number plate change.

  • Outstanding finance: lender and agreement
  • Insurance write-off: Cat S, N, C or D
  • Police stolen marker
  • High risk register
  • Previous keepers and last change
  • Plate and colour changes
  • Scrapped, imported or exported
  • Mileage anomaly check
Check a Ranger by reg → See a sample full report Prices and bundles

£3.99 a report in the 5-report bundle, £11.99 for a single report; unused reports never expire. Shown on screen straight away and sent by email. No subscription. Start with the free check: you only pay for the full report.

Free Ford Ranger MOT History and Mileage Data

What the MOT records of 1,622 Ford Ranger vehicles show. The full check above covers what the MOT doesn't.

  • 78%of MOT tests passedUK average 77%
  • 9,600typical miles a year
  • 3.4%have a mileage anomalyan MOT reading lower than an earlier one
  • 11,743MOT tests analysed
  • 2015–2020built (middle half)
  • 99%diesel

Ford Ranger common problems: most common MOT failures and advisories

The defects MOT testers record most often on the Ford Ranger, as a share of all its MOT tests (the same defect on any wheel or side counts once): the Ranger's known weak points. Check these on the car you're viewing, or on your own before its next MOT.

Top 19 Ford Ranger MOT failures

Reasons the car failed its MOT.

  1. Coil spring fractured or broken2.0%
  2. Position lamp not working2.0%
  3. Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm1.5%
  4. Brake pad less than 1.5 mm thick1.4%
  5. Headlamp not working on dipped beam1.4%
  6. Stop lamp not working1.4%
  7. Fog lamp not working1.3%
  8. Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively1.3%
  9. Headlamp aim too high1.2%
  10. Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid1.1%
Show all 19
  1. Brake pipe excessively corroded1.0%
  2. Engine MIL inoperative or indicates a malfunction1.0%
  3. Headlamp aim too low1.0%
  4. Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault0.9%
  5. Leaf spring fractured0.8%
  6. Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of a single lamp or all lamps0.7%
  7. Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt0.7%
  8. Exhaust emissions exceed manufacturer's specified limit0.6%
  9. Registration plate lamp not working0.6%

Top 20 Ford Ranger MOT advisories

Wear the tester noted: not a failure yet, but money to budget for.

  1. Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge7.5%
  2. Brake pad wearing thin5.2%
  3. Oil leak, but not excessive3.1%
  4. Registration plate lamp inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources2.8%
  5. Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material2.8%
  6. Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened2.7%
  7. Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view2.1%
  8. Tyre worn close to the legal limit2.0%
  9. Wheel bearing has slight play1.8%
  10. Brake pipe slightly corroded1.7%
Show all 20
  1. Registration plate deteriorated but not likely to be misread1.5%
  2. Suspension arm ball joint has slight play1.4%
  3. Nail in tyre1.2%
  4. Child Seat fitted not allowing full inspection of adult belt1.0%
  5. Drive shaft joint constant velocity boot severely deteriorated1.0%
  6. Shock absorbers has light misting of oil1.0%
  7. Suspension arm ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated0.9%
  8. Steering box has slight free play detected at steering wheel0.9%
  9. Vehicle structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced0.8%
  10. Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing0.8%
  • Lights and indicators: 50% of failed tests
  • Suspension: 27% of failed tests
  • Brakes: 24% of failed tests
  • Windscreen and wipers: 14% of failed tests
  • Tyres: 13% of failed tests
  • Brakes advisory: 19% of tests
  • Tyres advisory: 18% of tests
  • Corrosion advisory: 12% of tests

Based on the DVSA MOT histories of all 1,622 Ford Ranger vehicles with an MOT checked on CarCheckUp since April 2023 (11,743 tests, retests included). Updated 2 October 2026. Every MOT test and advisory for one car is in the free MOT history check, and our free mileage check flags a lower reading. Market-wide figures: UK Used Car Risk Report. How we calculate these figures. MOT and DVLA data: contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Ford Ranger versions

Every Ford Ranger version checked on CarCheckUp counts on this page, grouped by the word after "Ranger" in the DVLA record. Pass rates where at least 300 vehicles were checked.

VersionVehiclesMOT pass rateTop failure area
Ranger (no version recorded) 1,604 78% Lights and indicators

Key history checks before buying a used Ford Ranger

All of these are in every full report, with 150+ more data points.

Outstanding finance

A Ford on hire purchase, PCP or a logbook loan may still belong to the lender. Buying it can lead to a dispute over who owns it. Outstanding finance check

Insurance write-off (Cat S, N, C, D)

Shows if an insurer declared the car a total loss. Cat S and N cars can return to the road, but the record lowers the value and can affect insurance. Write-off check

Police stolen marker

Checks the Police National Computer. A stolen car can be taken back, leaving you without the car or your money. Stolen car check

High risk register

Shows if a finance company, insurer or the police has registered an interest in the Ranger. Find out why before you buy.

Mileage anomaly check & MOT history

Free: every MOT mileage reading compared for drops, with advisories and failures. Free mileage check

Previous keepers & plate changes

How many keepers the car has had and when, plus number plate changes that can separate a car from its history. Previous owners check

More free and full vehicle checks for a Ford Ranger

See a sample full report · Prices

Full Ford Ranger car check from £3.99 a report

Finance, write-off, stolen, keepers, plate changes and 150+ data points on the Ford Ranger you're looking at. The MOT history and mileage come free.

Check a Ranger by reg → See a sample report

Ford Ranger MOT questions

How do I check a used Ford Ranger for outstanding finance or a write-off?

Run a full car history check on its registration. Of the 510 Ford Ranger vehicles checked with a full CarCheckUp report, 16.7% had outstanding finance recorded and 12.0% an insurance write-off record. The report also shows stolen markers, keepers, plate and colour changes.

Is a Ford Ranger car check free?

The MOT history, mileage anomaly check, tax and DVLA details of any Ford Ranger are free. The full car history check (finance, write-off, stolen, keepers and 150+ data points) is paid, from £3.99 a report.

What is the most common MOT failure on the Ford Ranger?

Coil spring fractured or broken: found at 2.0% of the Ford Ranger MOT tests we analysed. By area, lights and indicators items appear in 50% of failed tests.

What is the Ford Ranger MOT pass rate?

78% of 11,743 MOT tests on 1,622 Ford Ranger vehicles checked on CarCheckUp were passed (retests included). The UK average across all vehicles we checked is 77%.

What are the common problems with the Ford Ranger?

Going by its MOT records, the Ford Ranger's most common failures are coil spring fractured or broken (2.0% of tests); position lamp not working (2.0% of tests); tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (1.5% of tests). The full list of the top 20 MOT failures and advisories is on this page.

What is the most common MOT advisory on the Ford Ranger?

Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge: noted at 7.5% of tests. An advisory is not a failure, but it is wear to budget for.

How many miles a year is a Ford Ranger typically driven?

About 9,600 miles a year (the median, from MOT mileage readings). 3.4% have a mileage anomaly: an MOT reading lower than an earlier one.

More Ford car checks and guides

Guides for buying a used Ford Ranger