Ford Ka Reliability, MOT Pass Rate & Common Faults
Free Ford Ka car check
Is the Ford Ka reliable? We analysed 8,818,307 real MOT tests across 675,715 vehicles to find out.
Got a specific Ford Ka? Enter the reg for a free check:
The Ford Ka is about average for reliability based on real UK MOT data. Common problems include suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded, seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm. Here's everything you need to know before buying a used Ford Ka.
Ford Ka Number Plates
Number plates registered to a Ford Ka. Click on any registration for full vehicle details — including MOT history, mileage records, previous owners and damage history.
Ford Ka MOT Pass Rate by Year
How likely is a Ford Ka to pass its MOT? Here's the pass rate for each registration year, newest first.
Ford Ka Problems — What Goes Wrong?
The most common reasons a Ford Ka fails its MOT, ranked by how often they occur. Check for these problems before you buy.
Ford Ka Mileage — What's Normal?
How many miles does a typical Ford Ka owner drive per year? Use this to check if a car you're looking at has suspiciously low or high mileage.
Ford Ka MOT Data by Registration Year
Full breakdown of pass rate and mileage for each year. Use this to compare the Ford Ka year you're looking at.
| Year | Tests | Pass Rate | Low Mi. | Typical Mi. | High Mi. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 48,239 | 90.1% | 13,253 | 21,421 | 32,593 |
| 2018 | 67,316 | 87.2% | 15,318 | 24,634 | 37,297 |
| 2017 | 97,657 | 88.4% | 16,683 | 26,876 | 41,039 |
| 2016 | 74,408 | 82.6% | 18,894 | 30,048 | 45,046 |
| 2015 | 136,139 | 81.2% | 20,426 | 32,755 | 48,708 |
| 2014 | 213,748 | 81.2% | 23,086 | 36,395 | 53,332 |
| 2013 | 242,654 | 80.1% | 25,732 | 40,573 | 58,685 |
| 2012 | 250,906 | 78.8% | 27,152 | 43,215 | 62,732 |
| 2011 | 263,691 | 77.8% | 29,039 | 46,711 | 67,698 |
| 2010 | 347,316 | 75.5% | 30,850 | 49,974 | 71,816 |
| 2009 | 378,539 | 75.5% | 30,491 | 50,765 | 73,854 |
| 2008 | 351,208 | 71.0% | 26,602 | 41,756 | 59,626 |
| 2007 | 388,135 | 69.7% | 26,849 | 42,273 | 60,389 |
| 2006 | 418,900 | 69.7% | 27,018 | 42,791 | 61,267 |
| 2005 | 577,496 | 68.2% | 28,152 | 43,813 | 61,890 |
| 2004 | 761,395 | 67.3% | 29,500 | 45,689 | 64,192 |
| 2003 | 907,405 | 66.4% | 30,786 | 47,451 | 66,304 |
| 2002 | 977,105 | 65.6% | 32,136 | 48,988 | 67,202 |
| 2001 | 746,769 | 64.6% | 36,084 | 52,742 | 70,100 |
| 2000 | 558,199 | 62.2% | 39,595 | 56,069 | 72,382 |
How Long Does a Ford Ka Last?
Based on 675,715 Ford Ka vehicles on UK roads.
Ford Ka Mileage Distribution
Total mileage recorded across all Ford Ka MOT tests. If the car you're looking at is above the 75th percentile, it's done more miles than most.
Best Year to Buy a Used Ford Ka
Based on MOT pass rates across all registration years with sufficient test data.
90.1% MOT pass rate from 48,239 tests
59.9% MOT pass rate from 18,932 tests
The best year to buy a used Ford Ka is 2019, which has the highest MOT pass rate at 90.1% across 48,239 tests. The 1996 model year has the lowest pass rate at 59.9% — if you're looking at one from that year, budget for potential repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.
How Does the Ford Ka Compare?
MOT pass rates compared to similar models. Click any model for the full breakdown.
| Model | Pass Rate | Tests | Typical Mileage | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Ka THIS CAR | 69.1% | 8,818,307 | 47,752 mi | 29 yrs |
| Ford Fiesta | 72.8% | 33,753,820 | 57,529 mi | 34 yrs |
| Ford Focus | 73.8% | 28,316,889 | 72,500 mi | 27 yrs |
| Ford Transit | 68.7% | 16,371,688 | 100,614 mi | 37 yrs |
| Peugeot 207 | 70.9% | 4,554,199 | 59,259 mi | 20 yrs |
Compared to the Ford Fiesta (72.8% pass rate) and the Ford Focus (73.8% pass rate), the Ford Ka trails behind on MOT reliability.
Found a Ford Ka you like?
Run a full vehicle history check on the specific car. See finance, stolen, write-off, mileage and MOT data for that exact vehicle.
Check a specific Ford KaShould you buy a used Ford Ka?
The Ford Ka has an overall MOT pass rate of 69.1% across 8,818,307 real MOT tests — roughly in line with the UK average.
The most common problems on the Ford Ka are suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded (404,005 recorded failures), seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded (371,413), and tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (361,801). These are the faults most likely to cause an MOT failure on this model, so check for them carefully on any test drive or pre-purchase inspection. Many are wear-and-tear items that can be budgeted for, but a car that's already failing on multiple fronts may signal neglected maintenance.
A typical Ford Ka owner drives around 4,496 miles per year. If the car you're looking at is significantly above this, expect more wear on suspension, brakes and tyres. If it's well below, the vehicle may have been sitting unused — check for perished rubber, corroded discs and stale fluids.
In terms of longevity, most Ford Ka models stay on UK roads for around 29 years — a strong showing that suggests solid build quality and readily available parts. If you're buying one that's already approaching that window, the data suggests it has plenty of life left provided it's been maintained.
Before committing to a purchase, we recommend running a full vehicle history check on the specific car. This will reveal any outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies that the seller may not disclose — and that the MOT data alone can't tell you.