2002 Ford Ranger — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 5,863 MOT tests, the 2002 Ford Ranger recorded a 71.3% pass rate. That is effectively the same as pick-up trucks of a similar age (28.8% 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 18.1% of tests against 14.8% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are chassis condition, joints and rear fog lamp — chassis condition alone was recorded 461 times.
A 150k+ example is materially riskier than a 30-60k one: 30.3% versus 16.5%.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 37.5% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is improving — the fail rate fell from 29.4% 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 | 18.1% | 1,064 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.8% | 870 |
| 3 | Suspension | 12.9% | 757 |
| 4 | Brakes | 11.3% | 660 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.7% | 395 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.4% | 201 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chassis condition | 461 |
| 2 | Joints | 448 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 438 |
| 4 | Rigid brake pipes | 429 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 353 |
| 6 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 352 |
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 | 37.5% | 2,200 |
| 2 | Suspension | 36.5% | 2,138 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 33.2% | 1,948 |
| 4 | Tyres | 19.5% | 1,143 |
| 5 | Other defects | 17.0% | 995 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 14.0% | 823 |
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 | 212 | 16.5% |
| 60-90k | 765 | 29.3% |
| 90-120k | 1,157 | 26.8% |
| 120-150k | 1,616 | 29.5% |
| 150k+ | 2,085 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,640 | 29.4% |
| 2022 | 1,391 | 28.8% |
| 2023 | 1,127 | 28.4% |
| 2024 | 940 | 28.5% |
| 2025 | 765 | 27.8% |
What to check before buying a 2002 Ranger
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 18.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (18.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (14.8% 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 (12.9% 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 2002 Ford Rangers pass their MOT?
71.3% of the 5,863 2002 Ford Ranger MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2002 Ford Ranger?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 18.1% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (14.8%).
Does the 2002 Ranger get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.5% in the 30-60k band to 30.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 5,863 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.