2008 Ford Ranger MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check

In 2025, 57.1% of Ford Rangers first used in 2008 passed their MOT first time, against 57.2% for all cars first used in 2008. Across 6,330 Ranger first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were lamps and electrical equipment, brakes and body, chassis and structure.

This page analyses first MOT tests for Ford Rangers first used in 2008 (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

Passed first time, 2025
57.1%
of 1,783 first tests; all cars first used in 2008: 57.2%. Fixed-at-the-test counts as a fail
Tests analysed
6,330
first tests, 2023–2025; 1,783 in 2025
Clean pass, 2025
18.3%
of 1,783 first tests in 2025, passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded
Typical mileage, tested in 2025
127,500
middle half: 98,000–160,500 miles; all cars first used in 2008: 105,500

How the 2008 Ford Ranger MOT pass rate has changed

Share of first tests passed in each year, Rangers first used in 2008 against all cars first used in 2008 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Ranger figure was in line with the all-cars figure.

2008 RangerAll cars first used in 2008
50%60%20212022202320242025Test year (first tests)All cars first used in 2008, test year 2021: 58%All cars first used in 2008, test year 2022: 57.9%All cars first used in 2008, test year 2023: 57.4%All cars first used in 2008, test year 2024: 56.9%All cars first used in 2008, test year 2025: 57.2%2008 Ranger, test year 2021: 58.2%2008 Ranger, test year 2022: 58%2008 Ranger, test year 2023: 58.2%2008 Ranger, test year 2024: 56.7%2008 Ranger, test year 2025: 57.1%57.2%57.1%
View this chart as a table
Test year2008 RangerAll cars first used 2008Ranger first tests
202158.2%58.0%3,007
202258.0%57.9%2,727
202358.2%57.4%2,440
202456.7%56.9%2,107
202557.1%57.2%1,783

Common 2008 Ford Ranger MOT failures

Share of the 2,697 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%.

Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment61.3%
Brakes35.6%
Body, chassis, structure31.7%
Suspension29.6%
Visibility16.6%
Noise, emissions and leaks15.7%
Steering10.6%
Tyres7.8%

Most common failure items

DVSA failure itemShare of failed first testsTests
Position lamp: not working20.8%562
Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded15.1%408
Stop lamp: not working8.9%239
Rear fog lamp: not working8.8%236
Headlamp: not working on dipped beam8.4%226

Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.

What to check on a 2008 Ford Ranger before buying

The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.

  1. Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Common 2008 Ford Ranger MOT advisories

Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2008 Rangers, as a share of all 6,330 first tests, 2023–2025.

DVSA advisory itemShare of first testsTests
Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material29.5%1,869
Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge11.5%730
Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive11.2%711
Wheel bearings: has slight play11.1%704
Chassis condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced9.9%629

Questions about the 2008 Ford Ranger MOT

What is the MOT pass rate of a 2008 Ford Ranger?

In 2025, 57.1% of Rangers first used in 2008 passed their MOT first time, against 57.2% for all cars first used in 2008. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.

What does a 2008 Ranger most often fail its MOT on?

Lamps and electrical equipment (in 61.3% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), brakes (35.6%) and body, chassis and structure (31.7%). The single most common item was “Position lamp: not working” (20.8%).

How often does a 2008 Ford Ranger fail its MOT?

In 2025, 42.9% of first tests on Rangers first used in 2008 did not pass first time: 34.3% failed, and a further 8.6% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 2,697 of 6,330 first tests did not pass first time.

What are the most common 2008 Ford Ranger MOT advisories?

“Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material” (on 29.5% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (11.5%), “Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (11.2%), “Wheel bearings: has slight play” (11.1%) and “Chassis condition: is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced” (9.9%).

Is a 2008 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 58.2% in 2021 to 57.1% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.

Other cars first used in 2008

The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.

2008 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2008 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2008 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2008 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2008 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics

How the 2008 Ford Ranger MOT data is calculated

Every number on this page is calculated by SortedCars from DVSA’s anonymised MOT test data for Great Britain, 2021–2025. “2008 Ranger” means a Ford Ranger whose date of first use falls in 2008 (57, 08 and 58 plates), all trims grouped. Class 4 vehicles, first tests only — retests are not counted. Pass rate = passed ÷ all first tests; a car with a fault fixed during the test (PRS) counts as a fail. Our national first-test pass rate matches DVSA’s published figure (table DVSA/MOT/01) to within 0.04 points in every year. Clean pass = passed with no advisory and no minor defect recorded. Mileage is the reading recorded at the test. Comparisons are with all cars first used in 2008, any make or fuel, and are not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use. Failure and advisory item names are DVSA’s own wording. No figure is shown for fewer than 500 tests; an item is shown only if it appears on at least 50 tests and 1% of the base. Pass rates describe a group of cars, not one car: a well-kept example can pass and a neglected one can fail. This page is general information, not advice about any particular vehicle; always have a used car inspected before you buy. SortedCars is not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. You can check any car’s MOT history free on the official service: gov.uk/check-mot-history. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.