2005 Ford Ranger — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 15,854 MOT tests analysed for the 2005 Ford Ranger, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, body, structure & corrosion and brakes. Its pass rate of 71.4% was in line with the average for pick-up trucks of a similar age (70.9%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 30.3% in the 150k+ group versus 21.6% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.9% | 3,309 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 14.7% | 2,326 |
| 3 | Brakes | 13.3% | 2,104 |
| 4 | Suspension | 11.2% | 1,781 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.7% | 902 |
| 6 | Tyres | 3.2% | 512 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joints | 1,722 |
| 2 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,338 |
| 3 | Rear fog lamp | 1,230 |
| 4 | Position lamp | 1,187 |
| 5 | Headlamp aim | 1,177 |
| 6 | Service brake performance | 708 |
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 | 36.8% | 5,831 |
| 2 | Body, structure & corrosion | 32.8% | 5,193 |
| 3 | Suspension | 24.5% | 3,879 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 18.9% | 2,999 |
| 5 | Tyres | 17.7% | 2,811 |
| 6 | Other defects | 15.1% | 2,389 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 134 | 21.6% |
| 30-60k | 818 | 20.9% |
| 60-90k | 2,427 | 26.5% |
| 90-120k | 4,066 | 28.6% |
| 120-150k | 4,089 | 29.8% |
| 150k+ | 4,245 | 30.3% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,323 | 29.3% |
| 2022 | 3,789 | 28.8% |
| 2023 | 3,093 | 28.3% |
| 2024 | 2,559 | 28.1% |
| 2025 | 2,090 | 28.1% |
What to check before buying a 2005 Ranger
Before buying a 2005 Ford Ranger, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 20.9% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (20.9% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Body, structure & corrosion (14.7% 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+.
- Brakes (13.3% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
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 2005 Ford Rangers pass their MOT?
71.4% of the 15,854 2005 Ford Ranger MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 28.6% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2005 Ford Ranger?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.9% of tests, followed by body, structure & corrosion (14.7%).
Does the 2005 Ranger get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 21.6% in the 0-30k band to 30.3% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,854 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.