How much does a 2002 FORD EXPLORER cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £2,907 (£242/month), including £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2002 FORD EXPLORER?

The 2002 FORD EXPLORER has a 73% MOT pass rate based on 33 tests in 2026. This ranks 214 out of 403 cars from 2002.

Which year FORD EXPLORER is most reliable?

The 2005 FORD EXPLORER has the highest MOT pass rate at 89%. The least reliable year is 1998 at 66%.

FORD EXPLORER (2002)

Q: Is the 2002 FORD EXPLORER reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 73% of FORD EXPLORERs from 2002 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 33 tests. That's 9 points below the national average of 82%.

Q: What is the average mileage for a 2002 FORD EXPLORER?

The average mileage for a 2002 FORD EXPLORER is 83,397 miles, which is significantly below the expected 177,600 miles for a 24-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 33 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,907

£242/month

MOT Pass Rate

73%

Average

Road Tax

£760

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 35-50

4600cc Petrol

Check Carefully

73% pass rate, £2907/year to run. 9 points below average.

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Petrol4600cc24 years old33 tests83k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 4600cc)

~30 mpg

£1,592

Road Tax

Based on 4600cc

£760

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£2,907

Per month£242/mo

Per week£56/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

73% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 9 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the FORD brand average of 85%.

At 24 years old, 73% of FORD EXPLORERs from 2002 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 33 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 83,397 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2002 cars214th of 403(top 53%)

Rank among FORD models986th of 1,167(top 84%)

vs national average-9%(82% avg)

vs 2002 cars average+0%(73% avg)

vs FORD average-12%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

83,397

Average miles

177,600

Expected for age

The average 2002 FORD EXPLORER has 83,397 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 177,600 miles for a 24-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2005 model with a 89% MOT pass rate, while the 1998 model has the lowest at 66%. The 2002 sits between the two at 73%.

FORD EXPLORER by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2016	88%	32	89,490 mi
2014	89%	44	97,646 mi
2013	89%	61	84,193 mi
2012	100%	38	84,961 mi
2005	89%	92	72,400 mi
2004	78%	69	77,520 mi
2003	88%	49	93,976 mi
2002	73%	33	83,397 mi
2000	73%	158	91,142 mi
1999	81%	203	114,067 mi
1998	66%	197	109,272 mi
1997	76%	98	104,130 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MERCEDES CLK

2004 · 4966cc Petrol

£2,397/year

76%

+3%

BMW X5

2004 · 4799cc Petrol

£2,397/year

77%

+4%

MERCEDES SL

2003 · 4966cc Petrol

£2,247/year

86%

+13%

ROVER 75

2004 · 4601cc Petrol

£2,597/year

69%

-4%

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About the 2002 FORD EXPLORER

The 2002 FORD EXPLORER is a performance with a 4600cc petrol engine. 33 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 2002, the average MOT pass rate is 73%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 83,397 miles at 24 years old, FORD EXPLORER owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

2002 FORD EXPLORER Fuel Costs

The 4600cc petrol engine is on the larger side, so fuel won't be this car's strong point. Expect around 30 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,592 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2002 FORD EXPLORER?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,907 (£242/month), broken down as £1592 fuel, £760 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 73% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

FORD EXPLORER Reliability Trend

Newer FORD EXPLORERs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 8 percentage points.

Buying a Used 2002 FORD EXPLORER

At 24 years old, the FORD EXPLORER is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2005 model has the highest pass rate at 89%. Note: with only 33 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 2002 FORD EXPLORER's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 24 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Oil Consumption

Medium risk

Larger petrol engines can develop higher oil consumption as they age. Check the oil level and look for blue smoke from the exhaust.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Clutch Wear

Medium risk

With an average of 83k miles, clutch replacement may be due (typical lifespan 60,000-100,000 miles). Budget £400-£800 for a new clutch kit.

Brake Discs and Pads

Medium risk

High-mileage cars often need brake disc replacement, not just pads. A full set of discs and pads costs £200-£500 per axle.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 2002 FORD EXPLORER stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
FORD EXPLORER(2002)	73%	£1592	£760	Grp 35-50	£2907
MERCEDES CLK(2004)	76%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£510
BMW X5(2004)	77%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2397-£510
MERCEDES SL(2003)	86%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2247-£660
ROVER 75(2004)	69%	£1592	£250	Grp 35-50	£2597-£310

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.