2004 · 20 years old at test · Diesel mostly

2004 Ford Ranger MOT pass rate and common faults

1,713 MOT tests in 2024. 55.0% passed first time, compared with 56.4% for all cars the same age.

97Below average
Passed first time55.0%
Failed or needed repairs45.0%
Typical mileage at test126,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,713 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt8.1%
  2. Rear fog lamp: not working7.6%
  3. Position lamp: not working5.1%
  4. Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault4.9%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded4.7%
  6. Chassis condition: or chassis has excessive corrosion, seriously affecting its strength within 30cm of a body mounting4.3%
  7. Headlamp aim: too low4.3%
  8. Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively3.9%
  9. Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength3.3%
  10. Stop lamp: not working3.2%

Problem areas

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

  1. Lights & electrics49.6%
  2. Body & chassis27.3%
  3. Brakes26.6%
  4. Suspension21.1%
  5. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)8.1%
  6. Steering4.6%
  7. Emissions & leaks4.0%
  8. Tyres3.9%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded25.3%
  2. Chassis condition: corroded to the extent that the rigidity of the assembly is significantly reduced11.5%
  3. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm11.4%
  4. Engine oil leaks: leaking excessively from engine9.7%
  5. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure8.3%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year fails more often than most cars its age, so budget for repairs and check the history carefully. 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.

← 2003 RangerAll Ranger years2005 Ranger →

Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2004 Ford Ranger?

In 2024, 55.0% of 2004 Ford Ranger cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,713 tests. The average for all 20-year-old cars was 56.4%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 2004 Ford Ranger?

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

Is the 2004 Ford Ranger reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 97, which is below average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).