1999 Ford Ranger — MOT failures & pass rate
1,408 MOT tests on the 1999 Ford Ranger are in this dataset, and 72.5% of them passed. That is effectively the same as pick-up trucks of a similar age (28.1% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and suspension.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.0% of tests against 13.6% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, chassis condition and rear fog lamp — headlamp alone was recorded 132 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 20.0% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 34.4% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 37.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.5% in 2021 to 27.8% in 2025, as the worst-kept examples leave the fleet.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.0% | 282 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 13.6% | 192 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.4% | 174 |
| 4 | Brakes | 11.2% | 157 |
| 5 | Visibility | 8.1% | 114 |
| 6 | Steering | 4.0% | 57 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 132 |
| 2 | Chassis condition | 125 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 111 |
| 4 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 90 |
| 5 | Rigid brake pipes | 80 |
| 6 | Position lamp | 80 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brakes | 37.2% | 524 |
| 2 | Suspension | 34.0% | 479 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 32.5% | 457 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.2% | 270 |
| 5 | Other defects | 15.1% | 212 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.5% | 204 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 65 | 20.0% |
| 60-90k | 200 | 22.5% |
| 90-120k | 347 | 24.8% |
| 120-150k | 359 | 26.5% |
| 150k+ | 422 | 34.4% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel | 1,373 | 27.8% |
| Petrol | 35 | 14.3% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 366 | 29.5% |
| 2022 | 325 | 26.5% |
| 2023 | 271 | 26.2% |
| 2024 | 241 | 27.0% |
| 2025 | 205 | 27.8% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Ranger
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 20.0% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (20.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (13.6% of tests): The one to take seriously on older cars — corrosion to structural areas can be costly and is an MOT failure. Typical repair: £200–£1,500+.
- Suspension (12.4% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1999 Ford Rangers pass their MOT?
72.5% of the 1,408 1999 Ford Ranger MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 27.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Ford Ranger?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.0% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (13.6%).
Does the 1999 Ranger get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 20.0% in the 30-60k band to 34.4% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,408 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.