2015 Ford Ranger: common problems and what to check
What gets flagged at MOT on 2015 Ford Rangers, from 6,022 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.
What stands out
Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2015 Ford Rangers than on all cars registered in 2015.
- Ball joint dust cover5.2× usualFord Ranger9.4% All 2015 cars1.8%
Failed outright at MOT: 1.6%, against 0.7% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.
- Headlights4.4× usualFord Ranger9.3% All 2015 cars2.1%
Failed outright at MOT: 8.4%, against 1.8% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £40–£400 our estimateAt the viewing: Check both headlights on dipped and full beam, and look for cloudy or cracked lenses.
- Number plate lights2.5× usualFord Ranger10.1% All 2015 cars4.1%
Failed outright at MOT: 2.1%, against 1.2% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £5–£40 our estimateAt the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.
- Rigid brake pipes3× usualFord Ranger7.4% All 2015 cars2.5%
Failed outright at MOT: 1.3%, against 0.3% of all 2015 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.
- Track rod ends2.2× usualFord Ranger8% All 2015 cars3.6%
Failed outright at MOT: 4.2%, against 1.8% of all 2015 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.
Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanicAt the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.
Tyre condition: 5.3% here, against 13.4% of all 2015 cars. Suspension arm bushes and joints: 1.4% here, against 7.1% of all 2015 cars.
By area
The share of 2015 Ford Ranger MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.
- Suspension30% 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.
- Lights and electrics30% of testsRough price £10–£80
At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.
- Brakes23% 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.
- Tyres19% 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 leaks10% 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.
- Wipers, windscreen and mirrors8% of testsRough price £15–£250
At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.
Known faults
Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.
- Oil pump failure (3.2 diesel)3.2 diesel
The most common problem: the 3.2 diesel's oil pump fails. Watch for ticking, low oil pressure or the engine light. Owners often fit a geared pump.
At the viewing: Listen for ticking at idle and make sure the oil light goes out.
- Chassis and wheel arch corrosionAll engines
Corrosion is common on the chassis and in the wheel arches.
At the viewing: Look underneath at the chassis rails and in the arches.
- Gearbox and turbo problemsAll engines
Both manual and automatic gearboxes have had problems, and turbos can fail, shown by poor pulling and blue smoke.
At the viewing: Feel for slipping and harsh changes, and look for blue smoke.
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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% |
| 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% |
| 1999 | 165 | Suspension 45% |
Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2015 Ford Rangers registered in 2015. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score