Used Ford Ranger review and buying guide (2004 to present): which one to buy and what to check

Which used Ford Ranger should you buy?

The T6 Ranger (2011 to 2022) is the one to buy, but only with a full record of its oil changes, because the High known fault on 2011 to 2019 trucks covers both the 2.2 and the 3.2 TDCi. They share an oil pump that can't prime itself, so a sump left draining for more than about ten minutes at an oil change can starve the engine and seize it. One owner's 2013 2.2 seized after its oil pump failed.

T6 trucks from 2012 on share the other known fault, rust on the separate chassis that gathers at the welded joints and the suspension brackets, blamed on factory rust protection that was too thin or got damaged. It's listed for trucks from 2012 right through to 2022, so a later build year isn't a pass. Whatever the engine, the chassis decides whether a Ranger's worth buying.

The Ranger got the 2.0 EcoBlue diesel in January 2019, and the newer 2023 generation kept it. Its cambelt runs in oil and is due at 100,000 miles or 72 months, so on a high-mileage or older example that's the job to see paperwork for. Ford's since moved the 2.0 diesel to a timing chain for the 2026 Ranger.

The earlier trucks are harder to back. On the 2004 to 2006 Ranger there were reports of oil pump failure starving the top of the engine and taking out the little ends, and fifth gear could give up after five to six years and around 80,000 miles. The 2006 to 2011 truck had transmission problems with no UK stock of parts to mend them, and it scored only two Euro NCAP stars for passenger protection.

Which Ranger engines and gearboxes are the safe choices?

Neither TDCi diesel in the T6 escapes the High known fault: the 2.2 and 3.2 TDCi share the same oil pump, and one 2013 2.2 seized when its pump failed. The 2.2 has had other owner complaints too: one needed a paid DPF deep clean to clear a warning light, and another had a misfire that still wasn't cured at 18,000 miles. A base 2.2 XL light enough to stay under the weight threshold also escapes the lower speed limits that catch heavier trucks.

That shared pump is a vane type that won't self-prime, so if the sump's left draining for more than about ten minutes at a service, it can lose its prime and starve the engine of oil. That shows up between 40,000 and 120,000 miles as an oil pressure warning that won't go out after a service, a knock straight after starting and, at worst, a seized engine. Most 3.2s are heavy enough to be capped at 50mph on single carriageways and 60mph on dual carriageways.

The 2.0 EcoBlue, fitted from January 2019, has a cambelt running in oil that's due at 100,000 miles or 72 months, so check whether it's been done on an older truck. On the gearbox side, one T6 owner had a clutch hydraulic fault that a new master cylinder didn't cure, and CV joints can fail. On the 2006 to 2011 truck, one owner's clutch and dual-mass flywheel went at 44,000 miles and another's jumped out of fifth.

What should you check when viewing a used Ranger?

Get under it with a torch first. Flaky, scabbed rust on the chassis rails, worst where they're welded, and rotten suspension brackets and mounts are the known chassis fault showing. A freshly blacked chassis on a truck that's otherwise untouched is a warning in its own right, as it can cover the very rust you're looking for.

On a 2.2 or 3.2 TDCi, start it up and listen: a knock as soon as it fires, or an oil pressure light that stays lit, points to the oil pump losing its prime. Ask for receipts for every oil change and who did them. On a 2.0 EcoBlue past 100,000 miles or 72 months, don't hand over money without the invoice for the wet cambelt change.

Look at the inside edges of the front tyres: one owner's 2016 truck had heavy wear there at 11,800 miles, and another's 2013 truck was scrubbing its outer edges after 2,000 miles. Walk round every panel for poor paint, as there were complaints about paintwork on new trucks. Try the headlights and radio; one owner paid £1,100 for a new body control module after a dipped headlight melted its wiring.

Ask for proof the rear seat recall work's been done. One recall from 2012 dealt with rear seats that could fail to latch to the striker plate and slide forward, and another replaced the seatback latch on trucks built between 2013 and 2015, because a broken spring could stop the back of the seat locking upright.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.

Is a used Ford Ranger T6 (2011 to 2022) a good buy?

Yes, if the chassis is solid and, on a 2.2 or 3.2 TDCi, receipts prove every oil change was done properly. It's got a five-star Euro NCAP rating, and you can have it with two or four-wheel drive. The 2.0 EcoBlue arrived in January 2019, and its wet cambelt is due at 100,000 miles or 72 months.

The oil pump fault shared by the 2.2 and 3.2 TDCi on 2011 to 2019 trucks turns up between 40,000 and 120,000 miles, shows itself after a service and can end in a seized engine. One owner's 2016 truck suffered engine failure at 84,000 miles with no further detail, and one 2.2 from 2013 seized when its oil pump failed. Chassis rust at the welds and suspension brackets is the fault that affects every engine, so it matters as much as the mileage.

One 2013 complaint listed poor starting, misfiring, broken seat trims and air vents, and a radio that cut out. One 2013 3.2 owner had a judder that a brand new replacement truck repeated, and six dealer visits later it still wasn't fixed. One owner of a truck bought new in 2016 went through five glow plugs and a failed stop/start system, with 10 trips back to the dealer and no fix, so check it starts cleanly and the stop/start works on the drive.

What does a used Ford Ranger cost to run?

What do Ranger owners like about them?

It's a good-looking truck, and the cabin feels more stylish and comfortable than you'd expect of a working pick-up. If you need to carry people, the Super Cab takes five, and there's a good amount of room in the back seats. Build quality's good too, and once you're cruising the engine settles down and gets quieter.

It'll swallow heavy loads without complaint, and the bed's a useful, adaptable space. The tailgate folds down flush with the bed floor, so long items slide straight in without catching on a lip. It's a strong tow vehicle too, and the choice of two or four-wheel drive means you can match it to the work you'll give it.

• The Ford Ranger offers more interior style and comfort than many rivals, with good rear seat space in the Super Cab model.
• The Ranger is the first pick-up to achieve a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, featuring ESP, hill start assist, and multiple airbags.
• The Ranger offers a strong engine line-up, with the 2.2 diesel providing good economy and the 3.2 diesel being a powerful towing option.
• The Ranger handles heavy loads well, featuring a practical and versatile load bed with a fold-down tailgate.
• The new Ford Ranger became the first pickup to achieve a maximum five-star score in Euro NCAP crash tests.