Ford Ka common problems by mileage
What UK MOT testers flag on the Ford Ka at each age and mileage, compared with all cars.
In 190,014 UK MOT tests of the Ford Ka in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is shock absorbers (an excessively worn bush): recorded on 8.8% of tests of 2014–2016 cars at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km), 88× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: prescribed areas (prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced) (19×); component mounting prescribed areas (prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength) (15×); pins and bushes (pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement) (15×). The most common reasons a Ford Ka fails its MOT are component mounting prescribed areas (prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength); coil spring (fractured or broken); rbt (sp) (efficiency below requirements).
Last updated: · Source: DVSA anonymised MOT data 2023
What stands out on the Ford Ka
Parts that MOT testers flag clearly more often on the Ford Ka than on all cars of the same age at the same mileage (at least 1.5× the rate and 3% of tests).
| Issue | Type | First used | Mileage | Share of tests | All cars this age | Ratio | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush | MOT fail | 2014–2016 | 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 8.8% | 0.1% | 88× | 329 |
| Prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced | MOT fail | 2006–2008 | 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 9.6% | 0.5% | 19× | 3,989 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | MOT fail | 2006–2008 | 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 16% | 1.1% | 15× | 5,165 |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | Advisory | 2001–2003 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 8.7% | 0.6% | 15× | 992 |
| Sub-frame mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive | Advisory | 2006–2008 | 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 4.4% | 0.3% | 15× | 832 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive | Advisory | 2007–2009 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 7.9% | 0.7% | 11× | 4,624 |
| Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases | Advisory | 2015–2017 | 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 8% | 0.7% | 11× | 698 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | Advisory | 2014–2016 | 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 11% | 1.6% | 6.7× | 14,410 |
Ford Ka by mileage (2012–2014 cars)
The most-tested first-use years. For each mileage band: how many MOT tests, the most common item, and the item that stands out most against other cars.
| Mileage | Tests | Most common | Stands out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) | 3,130 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (14%) | Coil spring: corroded (7.7%, 5.5×) |
| 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) | 13,362 | Tyres (condition): slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (13%) | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases (5.6%, 6.2×) |
| 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) | 18,582 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (17%) | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases (8.1%, 5.1×) |
| 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) | 12,745 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (20%) | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases (10%, 5.2×) |
| 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) | 4,877 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (21%) | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases (12%, 6.2×) |
| 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) | 1,281 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (23%) | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases (13%, 7.4×) |
| 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) | 319 | Tyres (tread depth): worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (22%) | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases (14%, 9.6×) |
Ford Ka by first-use year
| First used | Tests | Biggest stand-out issue |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 273 | Flexible brake hoses: slightly deteriorated at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (9×) |
| 2001 | 628 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (15×) |
| 2002 | 1,188 | Pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (15×) |
| 2003 | 1,966 | Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (8.6×) |
| 2004 | 2,634 | Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (9.8×) |
| 2005 | 3,162 | Prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (14×) |
| 2006 | 3,860 | Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (16×) |
| 2007 | 5,314 | Prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (19×) |
| 2008 | 6,719 | Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (15×) |
| 2009 | 18,435 | Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive at 20k–40k mi (32k–64k km) (8.2×) |
| 2010 | 18,914 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (7.8×) |
| 2011 | 16,247 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (7.8×) |
| 2012 | 17,205 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 0k–20k mi (0k–32k km) (8.5×) |
| 2013 | 18,689 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 120k–140k mi (193k–225k km) (9.6×) |
| 2014 | 18,506 | Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (72×) |
| 2015 | 13,263 | Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) (88×) |
| 2016 | 8,323 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 80k–100k mi (129k–161k km) (11×) |
| 2017 | 13,308 | Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases at 60k–80k mi (97k–129k km) (7.2×) |
| 2018 | 10,985 | Headlamp: not working on dipped beam at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (4.5×) |
| 2019 | 10,017 | Headlamp: not working on dipped beam at 40k–60k mi (64k–97k km) (4.4×) |
How these numbers are made
From the DVSA anonymised MOT data for 2023: every normal MOT test of a car in Great Britain, with its mileage and every advisory and failure item. For each first-use year (pooled with the years either side) and 20,000-mile band we count the share of tests where a part was recorded, and compare it with the same share for every car of that age at that mileage. A cell is shown only with 300 or more tests. Advisories are tester notes, not failures. Figures describe UK-market cars; engines and equipment can differ in other countries.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (DVSA anonymised MOT data, 2023).
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Ford Ka?
In 190,014 UK MOT tests of the Ford Ka in 2023, the problem that most sets it apart from other cars is shock absorbers (an excessively worn bush): recorded on 8.8% of tests of 2014–2016 cars at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km), 88× the rate for all cars of that age and mileage. Other stand-out issues: prescribed areas (prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced) (19×); component mounting prescribed areas (prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength) (15×); pins and bushes (pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement) (15×). The most common reasons a Ford Ka fails its MOT are component mounting prescribed areas (prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength); coil spring (fractured or broken); rbt (sp) (efficiency below requirements).
Why do Ford Kas fail the MOT?
Across 190,014 MOT tests in 2023, the most common failure items on the Ford Ka were component mounting prescribed areas (prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength) (13% of tests); coil spring (fractured or broken) (7.3% of tests); rbt (sp) (efficiency below requirements) (8.4% of tests).
At what mileage do Ford Ka problems start?
The clearest Ford Ka-specific issue, shock absorbers (an excessively worn bush), peaks against other cars at 100k–120k mi (161k–193k km) on 2014–2016 cars (8.8% of tests vs 0.1% for all cars that age).
Where does this Ford Ka data come from?
From the UK government's anonymised MOT test data (DVSA, 2023, Open Government Licence v3.0): 190,014 tests of the Ford Ka. VinSnap shows the same numbers for your own car's age and mileage in the app.