The Ranger and Everest share a platform, but in the Instant Auto Reach Inspection Index they were very different buys. The five Rangers had a median of 190,572 km and real mechanical findings. The five Everests had a median of 62,475 km and mostly small ones.
The five Rangers
| Instant Auto Reach Case File | Year | Odometer | Main findings |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1A37BB7 | 2020 | 189,942 km | Rough idle with air flow sensor code, transmission oil leak, signs of front-end repair |
| A1A1E76F | 2017 Wildtrak | 190,572 km | Hard gear shifting, multiple oil leaks, undisclosed repaint, leaking rear shock |
| A1C6CD0D | 2016 | 227,226 km | Lower control arm bushes, loose CV boot, good for a work ute |
| A18C0391 | 2015 | 155,565 km | Oil leak at front of engine, tyres at 2 to 3 mm, lighting module faults |
| A1032745 | 2009 | 243,621 km | Oil residue, brakes due, otherwise a safe buy |
Four of five had an oil leak or oil residue. Two showed signs of earlier body repair the seller had not mentioned. The 2017 Wildtrak was rated poor, and our inspector called it a risky purchase unless every issue was assessed and fixed first.
The oldest Ranger, at 243,621 km, was one of the better ones. Age was not the pattern. Use was.
The five Everests
| Instant Auto Reach Case File | Year | Odometer | Main findings |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1C62187 | 2023 Platinum | 21,669 km | Oil leak between engine and transmission |
| A299F12E | 2023 Sport | 57,679 km | Coolant at low mark, parking camera fault code that returned |
| A2BD784B | 2023 | 62,475 km | Discharged 12V battery, brief cold-start noise |
| A2DE4B4C | 2022 Sport | 65,996 km | 12V battery at 51% health, low-voltage fault codes |
| A22A9EF8 | 2021 | 95,775 km | Service logbook missing, minor cosmetics |
Three were rated very good and none had a critical finding. But notice the first row: an oil leak on a car with 21,669 km. Nearly new is not the same as fault free, and a car that young is usually still under manufacturer warranty, which is exactly when you want a fault documented.
What the Everests had in common – weak 12V batteries
Two of five had a discharged or tired 12V battery, and both threw fault codes because of it. On the 2022 Sport, a transfer case module code appeared alongside a low system voltage code. No mechanical 4WD fault was confirmed. Low voltage makes modern cars report problems they do not have, which is why we rescan after a road test. See stored vs current fault codes.
What to check on either
- Oil leaks, top and bottom of the engine and between engine and gearbox.
- Gear shift quality when cold and warm.
- Coolant level. If it is low with no visible leak, ask for a pressure test.
- Paint and panel fit at the front. These are work and family cars. They get hit.
- Open recalls. Check the VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Buying for work
Rangers are fleet staples. If you are adding several to a business, or buying ex-fleet stock, a fleet vehicle inspection puts each one on the same severity scale. For a single ute, book a ute and 4WD inspection.
See how these compare across the whole dataset in what 181 Melbourne inspections found.
Rangers Work Hard. Find Out How Hard
Four of the five Rangers we inspected had oil leaks, and two had body repairs the seller had not mentioned. Even a nearly new Everest had an oil leak at 21,669 km. The way to know is to have someone get underneath, scan every module and drive it properly.
We inspect at the seller’s home, the dealership or your business yard. If the car is still under warranty, a documented fault now is worth having.
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