2016 Ford Ranger 2.2L Diesel · LR16 SFJ

A well-trodden working vehicle with a predominantly clean MOT record, the 2016 Ford Ranger shows a generally stable roadworthiness picture across its seven recorded tests since 2019, with the most recent assessment on 26 February 2026 returning a pass and no defects recorded. The 2025 test was similarly clean, and only one outright failure has ever been recorded, suggesting the vehicle has consistently met the minimum statutory standards throughout its ten-year life. That said, a handful of advisories over the years point to component wear that is entirely consistent with a high-mileage utility vehicle, and these warrant careful attention from any prospective buyer. The advisory trail is relatively thin but targeted, with the most recent item concerning a worn offside front coil spring flagged in March 2024, followed by brake-related observations in 2023 and tyre wear advisories in 2020. With 168,402 miles recorded against a ten-year age, the Ranger has averaged roughly 16,840 miles per year, which is well above the typical annual figure for a vehicle of this type. This usage profile indicates a working life rather than light private use, and mechanically it means that consumables such as brakes, tyres, suspension bushes, drivetrain mounts and clutch components have all experienced proportionally greater wear. The mileage progression between tests appears steady, with no large jumps or anomalously low readings that would suggest the vehicle has been laid up for extended periods, which removes concerns around standing-start issues such as seized calipers or perished rubber components. Buyers should however recognise that a 168,000-mile Ranger has likely covered substantial towing or load-carrying work, placing additional stress on the rear axle, braking system and chassis. The advisories from 2020 noted all four tyres worn close to the legal limit, which is a common pattern on a high-mileage vehicle and indicates that replacement has been an ongoing cost rather than a one-off event. The 2023 advisory recording a mist of oil around the nearside rear brake backplate is more telling, as it suggests a rear axle or hub seal weep that could contaminate the brake friction material and reduce braking efficiency; on a test drive, the buyer should listen for any binding or dragging sensation from the rear brakes, particularly after the vehicle has been driven for some distance, and inspect the rear brake disc surface for glazing or uneven wear. The same test also flagged the handbrake lever being close to the end of its travel, which on a Ranger typically points to rear brake self-adjustment issues or worn handbrake cables rather than a simple cable stretch, so the buyer should verify that the handbrake holds the vehicle firmly on an incline and check for excessive play in the mechanism. The most recent advisory, concerning the offside front coil spring worn in 2024, is a component that has likely deteriorated further over the intervening two years and warrants close physical inspection. On a test drive, any clonking or creaking over uneven surfaces, particularly from the front end, would suggest the spring has broken or sagged further, and the vehicle may sit noticeably lower on the offside front corner when parked on level ground. The coil spring should be checked visually for cracking or shortening, and the surrounding suspension components including top mounts, shock absorbers and anti-roll bar drop links inspected for associated wear. Beyond these flagged items, the buyer should pay particular attention to the propshaft, rear leaf springs and bushes which are common wear points on Rangers of this age and mileage, and listen for any transmission or transfer box noises on a steady throttle. A compression test and inspection for excessive blow-by would also be prudent given the mileage, and any signs of clutch slip under load should be taken seriously.