2004 Ford Ranger MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 53.5% of Ford Rangers first used in 2004 passed their MOT first time, against 57.8% for all cars first used in 2004. Across 5,323 Ranger first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, body, chassis and structure and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Ford Rangers first used in 2004 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2004 Ford Ranger MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Rangers first used in 2004 against all cars first used in 2004 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Ranger figure was 4.3 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2004 Ranger | All cars first used 2004 | Ranger first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 52.8% | 53.9% | 3,085 |
| 2022 | 53.0% | 55.2% | 2,669 |
| 2023 | 53.1% | 56.0% | 2,172 |
| 2024 | 54.9% | 56.4% | 1,724 |
| 2025 | 53.5% | 57.8% | 1,427 |
Common 2004 Ford Ranger MOT failures
Share of the 2,460 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt | 18.5% | 456 |
| Rear fog lamp: not working | 17.7% | 436 |
| Position lamp: not working | 16.2% | 399 |
| Headlamp aim: too low | 11.6% | 285 |
| Anti-lock braking system: warning lamp indicates an ABS fault | 10.8% | 265 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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What to check on a 2004 Ford Ranger before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Body and underside. Worth looking underneath with a torch at the sills, floor and mountings for corrosion, and at the rubber boots on the drive shafts for splits.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
Common 2004 Ford Ranger MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2004 Rangers, as a share of all 5,323 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material | 27.1% | 1,443 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 11.4% | 607 |
| Chassis condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced | 11.4% | 605 |
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 9.2% | 490 |
| Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread | 7.6% | 405 |
Questions about the 2004 Ford Ranger MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2004 Ford Ranger?
In 2025, 53.5% of Rangers first used in 2004 passed their MOT first time, against 57.8% for all cars first used in 2004. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2004 Ranger most often fail its MOT on?
Lamps and electrical equipment (in 59.6% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), body, chassis and structure (41.8%) and brakes (37.6%). The single most common item was “Drive shaft joints: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt” (18.5%).
How often does a 2004 Ford Ranger fail its MOT?
In 2025, 46.5% of first tests on Rangers first used in 2004 did not pass first time: 38.3% failed, and a further 8.3% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 2,460 of 5,323 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2004 Ford Ranger MOT advisories?
“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 27.1% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (11.4%), “Chassis condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced” (11.4%), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (9.2%) and “Registration plates: deteriorated but not likely to be misread” (7.6%).
Is a 2004 Ford Ranger reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 52.8% in 2021 to 53.5% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2004
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2004 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2004 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2004 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2004 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics · 2004 Volkswagen Polo MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2004 Ranger?
The numbers above cover every Ranger first used in 2004 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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