2008 Ford Ranger — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2008 Ford Ranger passed 73.6% of its 15,393 recorded MOT tests. Pick-up trucks of a similar age fail 28.5% of the time, so this is 2.1pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, brakes and body, structure & corrosion.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.1% of tests against 12.0% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are rigid brake pipes, position lamp and headlamp — rigid brake pipes alone was recorded 1,604 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 16.3% in the 0-30k band and 27.1% in the 150k+ band, a 10.7-point spread.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 37.9% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 25.2% of tests failed in 2021 against 27.0% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 20.1% | 3,089 |
| 2 | Brakes | 12.0% | 1,846 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.1% | 1,555 |
| 4 | Suspension | 9.4% | 1,454 |
| 5 | Visibility | 5.5% | 848 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.9% | 751 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rigid brake pipes | 1,604 |
| 2 | Position lamp | 1,533 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 1,114 |
| 4 | Headlamp aim | 752 |
| 5 | Chassis condition | 749 |
| 6 | Stop lamp | 731 |
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 | 37.9% | 5,827 |
| 2 | Suspension | 29.4% | 4,534 |
| 3 | Body, structure & corrosion | 24.0% | 3,700 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 19.9% | 3,059 |
| 5 | Tyres | 16.9% | 2,604 |
| 6 | Steering | 15.0% | 2,308 |
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 | 98 | 16.3% |
| 30-60k | 868 | 17.6% |
| 60-90k | 2,251 | 23.3% |
| 90-120k | 3,888 | 26.9% |
| 120-150k | 3,941 | 29.2% |
| 150k+ | 4,342 | 27.1% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,840 | 25.2% |
| 2022 | 3,510 | 26.7% |
| 2023 | 3,090 | 26.3% |
| 2024 | 2,680 | 27.5% |
| 2025 | 2,273 | 27.0% |
What to check before buying a 2008 Ranger
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 20.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (20.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Brakes (12.0% 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.
- Body, structure & corrosion (10.1% 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+.
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 2008 Ford Rangers pass their MOT?
73.6% of the 15,393 2008 Ford Ranger MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 26.4% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2008 Ford Ranger?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 20.1% of tests, followed by brakes (12.0%).
Does the 2008 Ranger get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 16.3% in the 0-30k band to 27.1% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 15,393 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.