Does the Ford Explorer fail the MOT on steering more than it should?
The Ford Explorer records 4.47 steering failure items per 100 initial MOT tests (2019–2024), against 6.06 expected for a car of the same age mix: less than expected for its class and age (−1.59, 95% interval −2.34 to −0.84). It ranks 434 of 640 models on steering (1 = most failures above expected).
Data release dvsa-2024-v2 (24 Sep 2026) · page updated 30 Sep 2026 · all models on steering · check a Ford Explorer by registration
What exactly fails on steering?
The most frequent DVSA defect wording in this group on the Ford Explorer is “Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated”, recorded 66 times in 2019–2024.
| DVSA defect wording | Items | Per 100 tests |
|---|---|---|
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover damaged or deteriorated | 66 | 1.59 |
| A steering ball joint with excessive wear or free play | 50 | 1.20 |
| Steering rack gaiter or ball joint dust cover missing or no longer prevents the ingress of dirt etc | 40 | 0.96 |
Source: DVSA MOT bulk data (OGL v3.0) · Window: 2019–2024 · n = 4,162 (initial tests) · Method: failure items (major and minor) grouped by DVSA's defect tree; wordings with 30+ items · Updated: 30 Sep 2026 · Release: dvsa-2024-v2 · CSV
Other pages for this model
Ford Explorer in Norway · Ford Explorer in the Netherlands · Ford Explorer by postcode area · Ford Explorer body, chassis and structure failures · Ford Explorer brakes failures · Ford Explorer vehicle identification failures · Ford Explorer lamps, reflectors and electrics failures · Ford Explorer noise, emissions and leaks failures · Ford Explorer seat belts and airbags failures · Ford Explorer suspension failures · Ford Explorer tyres failures · Ford Explorer visibility failures