Ford Explorer Common Problems, Faults & Repair Costs (2026)
Based on official DVSA MOT test data. View the most common MOT failure categories, pass rates, and estimated repair costs for the Ford Explorer (2020–present).
MOT Pass Rate
Reliability rating: Good — based on approx. 3,000 tests
1.30%
Moderate risk
11.0%
of failed tests need a retest
Top MOT Failure Categories
Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment
Est. repair: £40–£200
Suspension
Est. repair: £120–£450
Brakes
Est. repair: £100–£350
Tyres
Est. repair: £50–£120 per tyre
Exhaust, fuel and emissions
Est. repair: £40–£200
Where Faults Occur
29.0%
Front
27.0%
Rear
20.0%
Offside
Mileage Benchmarks
At 3 years
22,000 mi
At 5 years
N/A
At 10 years
N/A
Significantly higher or lower mileage than these benchmarks may indicate unusual usage patterns. Check the full MOT history for mileage consistency.
Is a Ford Explorer a Good Buy?
The Ford Explorer demonstrates above-average reliability based on MOT test data, with a 84.2% pass rate. This places it 2.2% above the national average, suggesting lower ongoing maintenance costs compared to many competitors.
While no car is without faults, lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment issues are the most common concern, affecting approximately 13.5% of failed tests. These tend to be relatively affordable to fix at £30–£150.
Ford Explorer MOT Check & History
View detailed MOT pass rates by year, mileage benchmarks, and full test history data for the Ford Explorer.
Check a Specific Ford Explorer
Enter a registration number to view the full MOT history for any Ford Explorer.
Other Ford Models
Ford Fiesta
79.2%Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →
Ford Focus
77.8%Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →
Ford Mondeo
74.5%Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →
Ford Ka
73.1%Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →
Ford Galaxy
72.8%Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →
Ford Kuga
82.1%Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment →