MOT reliability

Ford Explorer

Q: Is the Ford Explorer reliable?

Across 7,635 Ford Explorer vehicles in our MOT data, 68% pass the MOT (a 32% failure rate), with about 2.4 faults or advisories recorded per test.

Q: What is the average mileage of a Ford Explorer?

The typical Ford Explorer in our data has covered around 110,282 miles.

7,635 vehicles · 69,888 completed MOT tests analysed

68%

MOT pass rate

Based on 7,635 Ford Explorer vehicles and 69,888 completed MOT tests, the Ford Explorer has an overall 68% pass rate, with an average recorded mileage of 110,282 miles.

7,635

Vehicles

69,888

MOT tests

6,080

Avg miles / year

2.4

Faults per test

Dangerous-fault share

Ford Explorer problem areas

Where faults occur most across all Ford Explorer MOT tests:

Other99%
Tyres, wheels & suspension6%
Brakes4%
Seatbelts & equipment4%
Emissions & nuisance3%
Steering3%
Lamps & electrical2%
Body & structure1%

Ford Explorer pass rate by age

How the Ford Explorer's MOT pass rate changes as it ages (buckets with 20+ tests).

Age (years)	Tests	Pass rate
1	58	88%
2	77	86%
3	265	81%
4	369	78%
5	737	77%
6	2,088	73%
7	4,011	71%
8	6,309	70%
9	8,042	69%
10	7,628	68%
11	6,911	67%
12	6,107	67%
13	5,261	66%
14	4,417	66%
15	3,566	66%
16	2,976	67%
17	2,419	68%
18	1,984	68%
19	1,597	70%
20	1,234	70%

Fuel types: Petrol (7,085), LPG (329), Electric (130), Diesel (87), Other (1), Gas Bi-Fuel (1), Hybrid Electric (Clean) (1), LNG (1)

Most common Ford Explorer MOT faults

These are the faults and advisories recorded most often across Ford Explorer MOT tests:

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b) (3,398 times)
Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c) (2,660 times)
Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c) (2,615 times)
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (2,277 times)
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7) (2,249 times)
Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c) (2,131 times)
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (2,105 times)
Rear Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g) (2,101 times)
Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (1,843 times)
Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c) (1,780 times)
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (3.5.1g) (1,759 times)
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1) (1,565 times)
Parking brake: parking brake efficiency only just met. It would appear that the braking system requires adjustment or repair. (3.7.C.1b) (1,430 times)
Oil leak (1,426 times)
Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c) (1,223 times)

Ford Explorer pass rate by registration year

Year	Vehicles	Tests	Pass rate	Avg mileage
2026	43	43	0%	—
2025	88	89	100%	3,400
2024	6	7	100%	16,601
2023	8	9	100%	11,546
2022	9	20	80%	28,231
2021	6	17	94%	40,027
2020	12	36	69%	50,347
2019	18	43	81%	38,832
2018	23	85	91%	39,073
2017	34	111	86%	35,661
2016	36	113	85%	48,580
2015	45	115	82%	54,521
2014	46	139	80%	69,602
2013	49	162	83%	67,499
2012	34	96	82%	69,589
2011	28	77	87%	52,957
2010	16	67	81%	97,791
2009	11	43	88%	61,834
2008	28	127	79%	67,588
2007	44	189	78%	64,584
2006	73	320	73%	62,653
2005	87	582	77%	100,736
2004	90	636	76%	93,999
2003	91	772	74%	101,305
2002	87	665	72%	113,881
2001	114	1,260	68%	125,419
2000	1,029	13,395	68%	115,756
1999	1,329	14,852	69%	115,414
1998	1,907	18,284	67%	115,810
1997	2,037	16,502	68%	113,131
1996	69	494	68%	134,133
1995	33	194	70%	130,211
1994	27	143	73%	123,888
1993	19	108	66%	99,068
1992	27	101	70%	101,644
1991	18	71	75%	74,811
1990	4	8	50%	63,116
1989	1	6	83%	—
1988	1	6	50%	51,529
1987	1	16	69%	71,194
1985	1	4	50%	21,965
1984	1	1	0%	53,482
1978	1	2	50%	121,113
1971	2	9	67%	101,989
1959	1	2	50%	55,796

Ford Explorer reliability FAQ

Across 7,635 Ford Explorer vehicles in our MOT data, 68% pass the MOT (a 32% failure rate), with about 2.4 faults or advisories recorded per test.

The most frequently recorded Ford Explorer MOT issues are: Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.C.1b); Nearside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c); Offside Front Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c).

The typical Ford Explorer in our data has covered around 110,282 miles.

Compare the Ford Explorer

See how the Ford Explorer stacks up against other Ford models on MOT reliability:

Explorer vs Fiesta Explorer vs Focus Explorer vs Transit Explorer vs Mondeo

Check a specific Ford Explorer

Enter a registration to see that exact vehicle's full MOT history, advisories and recurring faults.

See all Ford models · Learn about common MOT failures · what an MOT checks