1999 Ford Ranger: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 1999 Ford Rangers, from 165 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
Small sample: only 165 of these were MOT tested in 2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 1999 Ford Rangers than on all cars registered in 1999.
- Chassis rust or damage4.8× usualFord Ranger28.5% All 1999 cars5.9%
Failed outright at MOT: 7.9%, against 2% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
- Rigid brake pipes2× usualFord Ranger31.5% All 1999 cars15.4%
Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 2.1% of all 1999 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £100–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Ask to see underneath, or check the MOT advisories: corroded brake or fuel pipes get worse every year and fail the MOT when they do.
By area
The share of 1999 Ford Ranger MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension45% of testsRough price £120–£400
At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.
- Brakes44% of testsRough price £150–£350
At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.
- Lights and electrics41% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Rust and bodywork36% of testsRough price £150–£1,000
At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.
- Tyres23% of testsRough price £70–£150
At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors21% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
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Other years
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 513 | Tyres 13% |
| 2022 | 15,140 | Tyres 23% |
| 2021 | 15,990 | Tyres 22% |
| 2020 | 11,398 | Tyres 20% |
| 2019 | 14,131 | Tyres 20% |
| 2018 | 13,682 | Tyres 21% |
| 2017 | 10,386 | Tyres 21% |
| 2016 | 10,171 | Tyres 22% |
| 2015 | 6,022 | Suspension 30% |
| 2014 | 3,878 | Suspension 34% |
| 2013 | 2,787 | Suspension 40% |
| 2012 | 1,790 | Suspension 43% |
| 2011 | 1,415 | Brakes 43% |
| 2010 | 1,295 | Lights and electrics 45% |
| 2009 | 2,032 | Lights and electrics 48% |
| 2008 | 1,798 | Lights and electrics 49% |
| 2007 | 2,400 | Lights and electrics 48% |
| 2006 | 1,997 | Lights and electrics 47% |
| 2005 | 1,667 | Lights and electrics 46% |
| 2004 | 1,439 | Lights and electrics 45% |
| 2003 | 848 | Lights and electrics 44% |
| 2002 | 615 | Suspension 43% |
| 2001 | 468 | Brakes 44% |
| 2000 | 395 | Brakes 43% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 1999 Ford Rangers registered in 1999. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score