2003 · 21 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2003 Ford Ranger MOT pass rate and common faults

1,018 MOT tests in 2024. 57.0% passed first time, compared with 57.3% for all cars the same age.

100About average
Passed first time57.0%
Failed or needed repairs43.0%
Typical mileage at test128,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,018 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt8.2%
  2. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded5.4%
  3. Rear fog lamp: not working5.3%
  4. Position lamp: not working4.6%
  5. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault3.7%
  6. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.4%
  7. Chassis condition: or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting3.4%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.0%
  9. Headlamp aim: too low2.8%
  10. Service brake performance: excessively binding2.6%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics39.0%
  2. Brakes25.6%
  3. Body & chassis24.7%
  4. Suspension18.8%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.3%
  6. Steering4.4%
  7. Tyres3.7%
  8. Emissions & leaks3.5%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded29.8%
  2. Chassis condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced11.9%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm11.6%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine10.8%
  5. Registration plates: inscription illegible8.9%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year is about as good as an average car its age. Before buying, check the area that fails most: joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

← 2002 RangerAll Ranger years2004 Ranger →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2003 Ford Ranger?

In 2024, 57.0% of 2003 Ford Ranger cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,018 tests. The average for all 21-year-old cars was 57.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2003 Ford Ranger?

The most common failure reasons were joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt; rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded; rear fog lamp: not working. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 2003 Ford Ranger reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 100, which is about average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).