2021 Ford Ranger: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2021 Ford Ranger?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2021 Ford Ranger than on all cars registered in 2021.

• Coil springs47× usual
  Ford Ranger

  4.7% All 2021 cars

  0.1%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.6%, against 0.1% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Ball joint7.6× usual
  Ford Ranger

  3.8% All 2021 cars

  0.5%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.1% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

• Number plate lights5× usual
  Ford Ranger

  3% All 2021 cars

  0.6%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.7%, against 0.2% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £5–£40 our estimate

  At the viewing: Check the number plate lights work and the plates are clean and legal.

• Shock absorbers2.3× usual
  Ford Ranger

  3.2% All 2021 cars

  1.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.9%, against 0.3% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Engine oil leaks5.3× usual
  Ford Ranger

  2.1% All 2021 cars

  0.4%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0%, against 0% of all 2021 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £80–£600 our estimate

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and where the car is usually parked for fresh oil. Ask whether the leak has been looked at.

Common 2021 Ford Ranger MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2021 Ford Ranger MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Tyres
  22% 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.

• Brakes
  13% 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
  12% 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 electrics
  9% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
  5% of testsRough price £15–£250

  At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  3% 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.

Known faults on the 2021 Ford Ranger

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.

  Source: Autocar: Ford Ranger (2011-2022) used buying guide

• Timing belt (2.0 diesel)

  2.0 EcoBlue diesel

  The later 2.0 diesel's timing belt can give trouble around 70,000 miles, and a snapped belt can wreck the engine.

  At the viewing: Ask when the belt was changed, with an invoice.

  Source: Autocar: Ford Ranger (2011-2022) used buying guide

• Chassis and wheel arch corrosion

  All 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.

  Source: Autocar: Ford Ranger (2011-2022) used buying guide

• Oil pump belt that runs in oil (2.0 EcoBlue diesel)

  2.0 EcoBlue diesel (most Ford 2.0 diesels from about 2018)

  The 2.0 EcoBlue diesel drives its oil pump with a belt that runs in the engine oil. As it wears it can shed rubber and cut oil pressure, which can wreck the engine. Ford has shortened the change interval on the Transit to 6 years or 100,000 miles.

  At the viewing: Ask when the oil pump belt was last changed, and watch for an oil-pressure warning light.

  Source: Parkers: everything you need to know about the Ford wet belt

• Gearbox and turbo problems

  All 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.

  Source: Autocar: Ford Ranger (2011-2022) used buying guide

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2021 Ford Ranger

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

1. Has the oil pump been replaced or upgraded?
2. Has the timing belt been changed?
3. Has the chassis had rust treatment or repairs?
4. Has the oil pump belt been changed, and is there a full service history?
5. Any recent work on the coil springs? (Flagged at MOT 47× as often on the 2021 Ford Ranger as on other cars the same age.)
6. Any recent work on the ball joint? (Flagged at MOT 7.6× as often on the 2021 Ford Ranger as on other cars the same age.)