Pass rate, every year
78.8% Around average
585 tests across 4 model years, 2000–2005.
−2.2 pts vs the national average
Ford Explorer MOT Pass Rate & Official DVSA Failure Statistics
Best year to buy
2003 85.2%
The strongest of the 4 years on record. See the 2003 page →
Worst year to buy
2000 76.0%
9.2 points below the 2003 peak. See the 2000 page →
The Ford Explorer MOT pass rate is 78.8%, −2.2 percentage points below the UK average. That is 585 DVSA MOT tests recorded between 2000 and 2005. This page lists the most common Ford Explorer MOT failures by category, names the best and worst model years, and finishes with a pre-MOT checklist you can run at home.
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MOT pass rates are national — type your postcode to see how Ford Explorer MOT pass rates does in your corner of the country.
Ford Explorer MOT History and Failure Rates vs UK National Average
The Ford Explorer passed on its first attempt in 75.8%, and its overall record sits −2.2 percentage points below the national average for all cars. These figures come from every recorded DVSA MOT test for the Ford Explorer in the 2023–2025 data: 585 tests across 4 model years (2000–2005). A test still carries exactly one pass or fail verdict.
| Measure | This model |
|---|---|
| Tests analysed | 585 |
| Overall pass rate | 78.8% |
| Passed on first attempt | 75.8% |
| Average mileage at test | 89,605 mi |
| Model years covered | 2000–2005 (4 years) |
| Versus UK national average | −2.2 pts below |
Figures are computed from every recorded DVSA test for this model in the 2023–2025 data.
Most Common Ford Explorer MOT Problems by Failure Category
Every MOT failure a tester records belongs to one inspection section of the DVSA manual. For the Ford Explorer, the Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment section leads the record — the breakdown below shows where the recorded failures cluster, then the exact strings behind the three biggest sections.
| Inspection section | Share of failures |
|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 37% |
| Suspension | 33% |
| Brakes | 10% |
| Visibility | 5% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 5% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 4% |
| Steering | 3% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 2% |
Shares are over the Ford Explorer's recorded defect strings, merged across its year pages.
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment
Around 37% of the recorded Ford Explorer failures fall in the Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment section of the MOT inspection manual. Testers recorded "Battery(ies) insecure but not likely to fall from carrier" (6.8%), "Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources" (6.5%), "Headlamp lens slightly defective" (1.7%) among the Ford Explorer's lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment faults.
Suspension
Around 33% of the recorded Ford Explorer failures fall in the Suspension section of the MOT inspection manual. Testers recorded "Ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated" (6.0%), "Ball joint excessively worn" (4.3%), "Linkage pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn" (2.4%) among the Ford Explorer's suspension faults.
Brakes
Around 10% of the recorded Ford Explorer failures fall in the Brakes section of the MOT inspection manual. Testers recorded "Decelerometer (sp) efficiency below requirements" (2.2%), "Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault" (1.2%), "Lever has excessive movement indicating incorrect adjustment" (0.5%) among the Ford Explorer's brakes faults.
Top Recorded Ford Explorer DVSA MOT Test Statistics & Defect Descriptions
The descriptions below are the exact DVSA failure strings testers recorded most often for the Ford Explorer, each with how many of the model's 585 tests it was noted on.
- "Battery(ies) insecure but not likely to fall from carrier" (Minor) — noted on about 40 Ford Explorer tests, 6.8% of the model's MOT record.
- "Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources" (Minor) — noted on about 38 Ford Explorer tests, 6.5% of the model's MOT record.
- "Ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated" (Minor) — noted on about 35 Ford Explorer tests, 6.0% of the model's MOT record.
- "Ball joint excessively worn" (Major) — noted on about 25 Ford Explorer tests, 4.3% of the model's MOT record.
- "Linkage pins and bushes pin or bush excessively worn" (Major) — noted on about 14 Ford Explorer tests, 2.4% of the model's MOT record.
- "Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view" (Minor) — noted on about 13 Ford Explorer tests, 2.2% of the model's MOT record.
Best and Worst Ford Explorer Model Years by Pass Rate
The strongest Ford Explorer model year on record is 2003 (85.2% across 81 tests), and the weakest is 2000 (76.0%). The gap between them is 9.2 points. Years with fewer than 50 recorded tests are excluded, so these are the years with enough MOT history to mean something.
| Year | Tests | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 Explorer | 133 | 78.9% |
| 2004 Explorer | 108 | 80.6% |
| 2003 Explorer | 81 | 85.2% |
| 2000 Explorer | 263 | 76.0% |
Newest model year first. Only years with at least 50 recorded tests are listed.
Pre-MOT Inspection Checklist for Ford Explorer Owners
These checks follow this Ford Explorer's own most-recorded failure strings, starting with what a tester is most likely to flag on a Ford Explorer.
-
the battery — “battery(ies) insecure”
Check the battery is secure and its terminals are clean and tight — a loose battery is a fail on its own, and a weak one shows up as slow cranking on a cold morning.
-
the lights — “registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources”
Switch everything on and walk round the car: both headlamps on dip and main, every indicator, both brake lights, reverse, fog and the two number-plate lamps. A bulb is a few pounds and a five-minute job.
-
the suspension joints — “ball joint dust cover severely deteriorated”
With the car parked on level ground, rock the top of each front wheel in and out while someone watches the suspension arm. Clunks, or rubber boots split and greasy, are what testers record here.
Derived from the DVSA failure strings testers recorded for the Ford Explorer. A check that finds nothing means the item is likely fine, not that the test is guaranteed.
Frequently Asked Questions: Ford Explorer MOT & Reliability
What is the Ford Explorer MOT pass rate?
78.8% of the 585 recorded Ford Explorer MOT tests ended in a pass, −2.2 percentage points below the national average. 75.8% of those passed on the first attempt.
Which Ford Explorer model years pass the MOT most often?
2003 is the strongest Ford Explorer year on record at 85.2%, while 2000 is the weakest at 76.0%. The year-by-year table below lists every model year with at least 50 recorded tests.
What are the most common Ford Explorer MOT failures?
The most recorded Ford Explorer failures are "Battery(ies) insecure but not likely to fall from carrier" and "Registration plate lamp(s) inoperative in the case of multiple lamps or light sources" — together around 13% of tests, mostly in the Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment section.