2013 Ford Ranger — MOT failures & pass rate
The 2013 Ford Ranger passed 78.1% of its 18,804 recorded MOT tests. That is effectively the same as pick-up trucks of a similar age (22.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (11.8%) and suspension (9.8%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, coil spring and headlamp aim — headlamp alone was recorded 860 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 14.2% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 25.5% once past 150k.
Brakes is the most common advisory, noted on 22.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 20.3% of tests failed in 2021 against 22.6% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 11.8% | 2,221 |
| 2 | Suspension | 9.8% | 1,852 |
| 3 | Brakes | 6.1% | 1,143 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 5.6% | 1,049 |
| 5 | Body, structure & corrosion | 4.4% | 829 |
| 6 | Visibility | 3.7% | 695 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 860 |
| 2 | Coil spring | 850 |
| 3 | Headlamp aim | 822 |
| 4 | Leaf spring | 758 |
| 5 | Track rod end | 672 |
| 6 | Rigid brake pipes | 648 |
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 | 22.3% | 4,189 |
| 2 | Suspension | 18.4% | 3,458 |
| 3 | Tyres | 15.8% | 2,964 |
| 4 | Emissions & environmental | 12.8% | 2,404 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 10.9% | 2,055 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.7% | 1,642 |
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 | 338 | 14.2% |
| 30-60k | 2,301 | 17.2% |
| 60-90k | 5,777 | 21.3% |
| 90-120k | 5,686 | 23.4% |
| 120-150k | 3,026 | 22.5% |
| 150k+ | 1,667 | 25.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,887 | 20.3% |
| 2022 | 4,004 | 21.6% |
| 2023 | 3,815 | 22.6% |
| 2024 | 3,662 | 22.6% |
| 2025 | 3,436 | 22.6% |
What to check before buying a 2013 Ranger
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 11.8% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (11.8% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (9.8% 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.
- Brakes (6.1% 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 2013 Ford Rangers pass their MOT?
78.1% of the 18,804 2013 Ford Ranger MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 21.9% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2013 Ford Ranger?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 11.8% of tests, followed by suspension (9.8%).
Does the 2013 Ranger get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 14.2% in the 0-30k band to 25.5% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 18,804 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.