Ford Ranger 2014: reliability & common MOT faults
Elevated MOT failure patterns for the 2014 Ford Ranger include Leaf spring (rear) (~128.6× peers) and On or after 01/01/2014 (~5.2× peers). Based on UK DVSA open data for test year 2025 (1,382 failed first-attempt tests), compared with similar age and mileage peers. Available test years: 2024, 2025.
Common faults
These are MOT failure patterns that show up more often on this registration year than on similar cars of the same class, age band, and mileage in the same test year (leave-one-out peer comparison; whole model family excluded).
Statistical patterns from MOT defect codes — not manufacturer TSBs, recalls, or a diagnosis of any individual car. Fail and advisory patterns are kept separate.
Based on 1,382 failed first-attempt tests in test year 2025.
Leaf spring (rear)
This failure pattern appears about 128.6× more often than on similar peer cars — recorded on 144 failed first-attempt tests; 10.4% of failed tests for this model year.
Rear · 144 failures · ×128.6 vs similar cars · 10.4% of failed first tests · Strong pattern — appears far more often than similar cars
On or after 01/01/2014
This failure pattern appears about 5.2× more often than on similar peer cars — recorded on 133 failed first-attempt tests; 9.6% of failed tests for this model year.
Any · 133 failures · ×5.2 vs similar cars · 9.6% of failed first tests · Strong pattern — appears far more often than similar cars
| # | Fault pattern | Location | Failures | vs similar cars | Share of fails | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Leaf spring (rear)
Suspension > Springs > Leaf springs > Leaf spring
|
Rear | 144 | ×128.6 | 10.4% | Strong pattern — appears far more often than similar cars |
| 2 |
Anti-lock braking system
Brakes > ABS / EBS / ESC > Anti-lock braking system
|
Any | 97 | ×5.3 | 7.0% | Likely common fault pattern |
| 3 |
On or after 01/01/2014
Noise, emissions and leaks > Exhaust emissions > Compression ignition > On or after 01/01/2014
|
Any | 133 | ×5.2 | 9.6% | Strong pattern — appears far more often than similar cars |
| 4 |
Electronic stability control
Brakes > ABS / EBS / ESC > Electronic stability control
|
Any | 61 | ×4.8 | 4.4% | Likely common fault pattern |
| 5 |
Rigid brake pipes (front)
Brakes > Rigid brake pipes
|
Front | 39 | ×4.4 | 2.8% | Likely common fault pattern |
| 6 |
Emissions not tested
Noise, emissions and leaks > Exhaust emissions > Compression ignition > Emissions not tested
|
Any | 29 | ×4.1 | 2.1% | Possible elevated fault |
| 7 |
Rear fog lamp
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment > Front and rear fog lamps > Rear fog lamp > Rear fog lamp
|
Any | 51 | ×3.5 | 3.7% | Likely common fault pattern |
| 8 |
Malfunction indicator lamp
Noise, emissions and leaks > Exhaust emissions > Compression ignition > Malfunction indicator lamp
|
Any | 124 | ×3.2 | 9.0% | Likely common fault pattern |
| 9 |
Ball joint dust cover (front)
Suspension > Suspension arms > Ball joint dust cover
|
Front | 77 | ×3.1 | 5.6% | Likely common fault pattern |
| 10 |
Headlamp
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment > Headlamps > Headlamp
|
Any | 149 | ×2.8 | 10.8% | Possible elevated fault |
Only patterns that clear minimum sample and elevation thresholds are shown (at least 20 failures and 2.0× peer lift).
Wear patterns
These patterns look like wear or usage effects rather than model-specific design faults. Tyres, brake friction material, and alignment-related defects often track mileage and road use. They are not treated as a model design fault in our common-faults ranking.
| # | Pattern | Location | Failures | vs similar cars | Share of fails | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Headlamp aim not tested
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment > Headlamp aim > Headlamp aim not tested
|
Any | 24 | ×2.6 | 1.7% | Wear / usage pattern — not treated as a model design fault |
Advisories
Advisory items recorded on failed first-attempt tests that appear elevated versus peers. Advisories are not a fail rate — they flag issues noted at the test, often before they become failures.
| # | Advisory pattern | Location | Notes | vs similar cars | Share | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Chassis condition
Body, chassis, structure > Chassis > Chassis condition
|
Any | 41 | ×18.2 | 3.0% | Elevated vs peers |
| 2 |
Transmission oil leaks (front)
Noise, emissions and leaks > Fluid leaks > Transmission oil leaks
|
Front | 27 | ×11.6 | 2.0% | Elevated vs peers |
| 3 |
Transmission oil leaks
Noise, emissions and leaks > Fluid leaks > Transmission oil leaks
|
Any | 45 | ×4.5 | 3.3% | Elevated vs peers |
| 4 |
Rigid brake pipes (front)
Brakes > Rigid brake pipes
|
Front | 113 | ×3.9 | 8.2% | Likely common fault pattern |
| 5 |
Coil spring (front)
Suspension > Springs > Coil springs > Coil spring
|
Front | 60 | ×3.7 | 4.3% | Possible elevated fault |
| 6 |
Rigid brake pipes
Brakes > Rigid brake pipes
|
Any | 37 | ×2.6 | 2.7% | Elevated vs peers |
| 7 |
Track rod end (front)
Steering > Steering linkage components > Track rod end
|
Front | 45 | ×2.3 | 3.3% | Elevated vs peers |
FAQs
About this data
Universe. UK class 4 cars only; normal MOT tests (not retests); results pass, PRS, or fail; one first test per vehicle per calendar year.
PRS policy. PRS means the vehicle failed items that were fixed at the test station and then passed the same day. We count PRS as a first-attempt fail in headline rates so same-day repairs do not hide problems.
Peer baseline. We compare this model year with other class 4 cars of similar age and mileage in the same test year, excluding the whole model family so the car is not compared with itself (leave-one-out peer baseline).
Data years. Test years covered: 2024, 2025.
Limitations.
- MOT tests do not cover engine internals, gearboxes, or many electronic modules — so this is not a full reliability score.
- Common faults are inferred from MOT defect statistics, not manufacturer TSBs or recalls.
- Matching on age and mileage reduces but does not remove every usage or maintenance difference between cars.
- Pass rates and star scores appear only when those data marts are available; this page never invents them.
Display rules config: 1
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.