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FORD KA Common Problems & Reliability

Based on 11,729 MOT tests from 828 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®. The figures below describe that VehicleScore® sample. Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are not a claim that every FORD KA has the same fault.

FORD KA's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 548/999. The score was calculated from the average of every FORD KA that has had a registered MOT.

We calculated all of the below figures by getting the score from each vehicle make/model/year/fuel, which are each calculated a score. We then generate the average score, taking into account factors such as mileage and emissions.

Also check BHP & performance, road tax, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions for the FORD KA.

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Check the reliability of your Ford KA

Enter your registration to see the MOT history for this car.

Ford KA side view
  • Service history

    Dealer & service records

  • MOT records

    Past & current MOT data

  • Write-off check

    Check for insurance write-offs

  • Finance check

    Outstanding finance & theft checks

Fuel TypeYearReliability ScoreAvg MileageSample Size
Petrol2019890/999Excellent125,253 miles6,442 vehicles
Petrol2016811/999Excellent106,387 miles6,187 vehicles
Petrol2015742/999Very good103,765 miles8,590 vehicles
Petrol2014589/999Above average81,109 miles14,537 vehicles
Petrol2011556/999Above average83,371 miles12,153 vehicles
Petrol2010510/999Above average82,252 miles9,568 vehicles
Petrol2008439/999Average87,381 miles9,229 vehicles
Petrol2007425/999Average87,144 miles10,222 vehicles
Petrol2003375/999Fair82,399 miles21,416 vehicles
Petrol2000381/999Fair75,559 miles20,997 vehicles
Petrol1999449/999Average77,323 miles2,963 vehicles
Petrol1998474/999Average77,706 miles1,426 vehicles
Petrol1997483/999Average81,210 miles662 vehicles

How reliable is the FORD KA?

Based on 11,729 MOT tests from 828 vehicles analysed by VehicleScore®.

Vehicles

828

MOT tests

11,729

Pass rate

76.6%

Median mileage

68,449 mi

Recurring issues seen in VehicleScore® MOT data are inspection findings from this sample. They are not a statement that every FORD KA has the same fault. The median VehicleScore® in this sample is 615 out of 999.

Common FORD KA MOT problems

These groups combine equivalent MOT comments, such as the same tyre note on different corners. Counts are comment occurrences in the sample, not a percentage of cars.

Tyre wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 1,869 advisory comments and 186 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record tyres that were worn, damaged, or close to the legal tread depth when the car was inspected.

What to inspect

Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT TYRE WORN CLOSE TO LEGAL LIMIT/WORN ON EDGE (5.2.3 (E))

Shock absorber issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 497 advisory comments and 336 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record shock absorbers or dampers that were leaking, misting, or insecure. A light misting of oil on a damper is not an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS HAS LIGHT MISTING OF OIL (5.3.2 (B))

Coil spring issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 539 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record coil springs that were corroded, fractured, or otherwise defective. They are counted separately from shock absorbers.

What to inspect

Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

Example MOT wording: OFFSIDE REAR COIL SPRING CORRODED (5.3.1 (B) (I))

Brake pad wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 240 advisory comments and 62 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake pads that were worn or below the inspection limit.

What to inspect

Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE PAD(S) WEARING THIN (1.1.13 (A) (II))

Oil leak

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 299 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record an oil leak noted by the tester. Shock absorber misting is counted as a damper issue, not as an engine oil leak.

What to inspect

Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

Example MOT wording: OIL LEAK, BUT NOT EXCESSIVE (8.4.1 (A) (I))

Suspension arm issues

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 196 advisory comments and 50 failure comments in this group. Seen as both an advisory and a failure reason. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record a worn, corroded, or damaged suspension arm or its pin.

What to inspect

Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

Example MOT wording: NEARSIDE FRONT SUSPENSION ARM PIN OR BUSH WORN BUT NOT RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT (5.3.4 (A) (I))

Brake disc wear

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 244 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record brake discs that were worn, scored, pitted, or corroded.

What to inspect

Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

Example MOT wording: FRONT BRAKE DISC WORN, PITTED OR SCORED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (1.1.14 (A) (II))

Corrosion

VehicleScore® MOT data includes 203 advisory comments in this group. Seen mainly as an advisory. These are comment occurrences, not a share of all cars.

These MOT comments record corrosion the tester could see on the body or structure. Corrosion already named on a spring, brake, or other component is counted with that component.

What to inspect

Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Example MOT wording: REAR SUB-FRAME CORRODED BUT NOT SERIOUSLY WEAKENED (5.3.3 (B) (I))

FORD KA MOT reliability by year

A model year is only commented on when VehicleScore® has at least 5 vehicles from that year.

YearVehiclesMOT testsPass rateRecurring issues seen
20194022887.7%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20182920783.1%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20174237381.8%Tyre wear, Brake pad wear
20163836879.9%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
20155463676.9%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
201499126877%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
2013106146477.7%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
201291138078%Tyre wear, Shock absorber issues
201183142173.8%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
201079145974.2%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
200984160876.3%Tyre wear, Coil spring issues
2008918775.9%Tyre wear, Brake disc wear
2007917675.6%Suspension arm issues, Tyre wear
2006713080%Tyre wear, Suspension arm issues

What to check when buying a used FORD KA

This is an inspection checklist based on MOT comments in the VehicleScore® sample. It does not mean the car you are looking at has these defects.

  • Tyre wear. Check the tread depth and look for uneven wear, cracking, or damage on all four tyres.

  • Shock absorber issues. Look for oil misting on the damper body and listen for knocks over bumps.

  • Coil spring issues. Look for a broken or heavily corroded spring and compare the ride height on both sides.

  • Brake pad wear. Ask for recent pad replacement and look at the remaining pad thickness.

  • Oil leak. Look under the engine for fresh oil, and check the oil level.

  • Suspension arm issues. Look for play or corrosion at the arm and ask whether it has been replaced.

  • Brake disc wear. Look at the disc faces for deep scoring, a lip at the edge, and corrosion.

  • Corrosion. Inspect the underside, sills, and subframe for heavy corrosion, especially where an advisory mentions it.

Buying a FORD KA?

Common problems tell you what can affect FORD KAs generally. VehicleScore® can check the history of the actual car you're considering.

Where does this data come from?

VehicleScore® analyses MOT histories from vehicles in its own dataset. Sample sizes vary by model, and a small sample is labelled as such. MOT data records roadworthiness and inspection defects. It does not capture every mechanical or electronic problem a car can have, and a comment on one test is not proof that the model has an inherent fault.

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