Used car guide

2008 Ford Ranger: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2008 Ford Rangers, from 1,798 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

1,798MOT tests in 2025
57%pass first time (all 2008 cars: 57%)
7,500typical miles a year
3.5×the usual rate for rigid brake pipes

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2008 Ford Rangers than on all cars registered in 2008.

  • Rigid brake pipes3.5× usual
    Ford Ranger
    33.4% All 2008 cars
    9.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 6.8%, against 1.5% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£400 our estimate

    At 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.

  • Chassis rust or damage8.3× usual
    Ford Ranger
    19.8% All 2008 cars
    2.4%

    Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 0.6% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £150–£1,000 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Wheel bearings4.9× usual
    Ford Ranger
    12.7% All 2008 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 1.2%, against 1% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£300 (one bearing) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for a hum or growl that changes as you steer at speed.

  • Steering box76× usual
    Ford Ranger
    7.6% All 2008 cars
    0.1%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.6%, against 0% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Headlights1.7× usual
    Ford Ranger
    17.9% All 2008 cars
    10.7%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 4.3% of all 2008 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £40–£400 our estimate

    At the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.

Better than most

Brake discs: 4.3% here, against 14.8% of all 2008 cars. Tyre condition: 7% here, against 15.4% of all 2008 cars.

By area

The share of 2008 Ford Ranger MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Lights and electrics
    49% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Brakes
    44% 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.

  • Suspension
    36% 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.

  • Rust and bodywork
    27% 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.

  • Tyres
    19% 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.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    16% of testsRough price £80–£600

    At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Looking at a Ford Ranger?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
2023513Tyres 13%
202215,140Tyres 23%
202115,990Tyres 22%
202011,398Tyres 20%
201914,131Tyres 20%
201813,682Tyres 21%
201710,386Tyres 21%
201610,171Tyres 22%
20156,022Suspension 30%
20143,878Suspension 34%
20132,787Suspension 40%
20121,790Suspension 43%
20111,415Brakes 43%
20101,295Lights and electrics 45%
20092,032Lights and electrics 48%
20072,400Lights and electrics 48%
20061,997Lights and electrics 47%
20051,667Lights and electrics 46%
20041,439Lights and electrics 45%
2003848Lights and electrics 44%
2002615Suspension 43%
2001468Brakes 44%
2000395Brakes 43%
1999165Suspension 45%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2008 Ford Rangers registered in 2008. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score