City car · 1996–2020 cars

Ford Ka reliability

The Ford Ka fails 32.8% of first MOT tests, 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage, based on 623,813 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2024.

Below averageReliability score 29/100#30 of 43 city cars

Checking a Ford Ka before you buy?

first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%): 32.8%; first-time MOT fail rate (all cars: 28.4%)
fails than cars of the same age and mileage: 23% more; fails than cars of the same age and mileage
MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024: 623,813; MOT tests analysed, 2022 to 2024
typical miles a year, from MOT readings: 5,500; typical miles a year, from MOT readings

What this means for buyers

The Ford Ka is below average for reliability. Its first-time MOT fail rate is 32.8%, against 28.4% for all cars. Against cars of the same age and mileage, it has 23% more MOT fails, and it ranks 30 of 43 city car models. Seat belts and airbags are its weakest area, with 102% more fails than comparable cars. The 2008 model year is weakest, with 58% more MOT fails than cars of the same age and mileage.

A below-average model can still be a good buy. Look for a 2019 model if you can, as it's the best year. Check the seat belts and airbags, then look for these common failures: stop lamp not working (2.8% of tests), suspension arm pin or bush excessively worn (2.53%), shock absorber serious fluid leak (2.48%), and wiper blade not clearing the windscreen (2.43%).

MOT fail rate by age

How the Ford Ka ages

Each point is the share of Ford Kas of that age that failed their MOT first time, against all cars of the same age.

Ford KaAll cars

Ford Ka first-time MOT fail rate by age
Age at MOT (years)	Ford Ka	All cars
3	9.8%	12.3%
4	11.5%	14.1%
5	15.1%	16.4%
6	20%	19.1%
7	23.7%	22.1%
8	26.9%	25.5%
9	29%	28.8%
10	31.4%	31.8%
11	34.9%	34.6%
12	38.3%	37.3%
13	41.6%	39.5%
14	45.6%	41.1%
15	49.1%	42.3%
16	51.4%	42.9%
17	52.9%	43.4%
18	51.1%	43.5%
19	51.1%	43.4%
20	49.1%	42.8%
21	50.2%	41.4%
22	49.4%	40.6%
23	43.1%	38.9%
24	49.7%	37.1%
25	46.2%	35.8%

By year

The best and worst Ford Ka years

2019 cars come out best and 2008 cars worst, once age and mileage are taken into account.

Ford Ka MOT results by year of first registration
First registered	Tests	Fail rate	Against same-age cars	Typical mileage
2019 Ka	25,954	10.6%	5% fewer fails	20,622
2018 Ka	33,590	14.1%	15% more fails	23,701
2017 Ka	37,833	14.3%	0% more fails	28,271
2016 Ka	26,806	24%	41% more fails	34,371
2015 Ka	44,565	26.4%	34% more fails	39,763
2014 Ka	62,564	27%	18% more fails	46,002
2013 Ka	63,014	30.2%	16% more fails	52,840
2012 Ka	58,100	33.2%	15% more fails	58,005
2011 Ka	55,516	35.7%	11% more fails	64,112
2010 Ka	64,064	40.7%	16% more fails	69,793
2009 Ka	62,523	42.4%	16% more fails	73,062
2008 Ka	22,822	52.5%	58% more fails	54,172
2007 Ka	18,335	52.3%	54% more fails	54,411
2006 Ka	13,116	51.6%	52% more fails	52,870
2005 Ka	10,755	50.8%	49% more fails	51,949
2004 Ka	9,086	51.8%	48% more fails	53,279
2003 Ka	6,677	50.4%	43% more fails	52,856
2002 Ka	4,067	50.2%	49% more fails	49,147
2001 Ka	2,155	48.8%	46% more fails	48,773
2000	961	44.4%	40% more fails	47,254
1999	755	49.1%	60% more fails	46,795
1998	421	44.2%	48% more fails	49,055

Common problems

What fails most on a Ford Ka

Its weak spot is seat belts and airbags: 102% more fails there than cars of the same age and mileage.

Fail rate by area

Suspension14.9%79% above avg
Lights and electrics11.6%14% above avg
Brakes7.6%31% above avg
Tyres6.1%12% above avg
Windscreen, wipers and mirrors5.6%25% above avg
Body, chassis and structure4.5%53% above avg
Exhaust, emissions and leaks3.1%22% above avg
Seat belts and airbags1.5%102% above avg
Steering1.2%19% below avg

Average for cars of the same age and mileage

Top MOT failures

1
Stop lamp not working 2.8% of tests
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
2
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn 2.53% of tests
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
3
Shock absorber serious fluid leak 2.48% of tests
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen 2.43% of tests
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
5
Tyre tread below 1.6mm 2.2% of tests
Tread below 1.6mm is illegal and reduces grip in wet conditions, so the tyre must be replaced.
6
Suspension ball joint excessively worn 2.17% of tests
A worn ball joint can fail and cause loss of steering control, so it must be replaced promptly.
7
Position lamp not working 2.13% of tests
A failed position lamp makes the car harder to see in poor light and is illegal, so it must be repaired.
8
Suspension mounting area seriously corroded 2.08% of tests
Corrosion near suspension mountings can seriously weaken the body structure, so an expert inspection is needed.

Most common advisories

Not a fail yet, but worth pricing in: these show up on a Ford Ka's MOT certificate most often.

Tyre worn close to legal limit14.08%
Suspension arm pin/bush showing wear9.27%
Tyre slightly damaged or cracking9.18%
Coil spring showing some corrosion7.24%
Shock absorber light oil misting6.36%
Exhaust has minor gas leak5.95%

Before you buy

What to check on a used Ford Ka

1
Stop lamp not working
A failed stop lamp means drivers behind cannot see when you brake, a safety risk that must be fixed.
2
Suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn
Worn suspension arm bushes allow the wheel to move unpredictably, affecting steering, handling and tyre wear.
3
Shock absorber serious fluid leak
A shock absorber leaking heavily has likely lost its damping, so the car will handle and brake less safely.
4
Wiper blade not clearing windscreen
Wipers that do not clear the windscreen reduce visibility in rain, which is a safety risk, so replace them.
5
Every MOT since new
Look for the faults above coming back year after year: it shows how the car has been looked after.
6
The mileage record
A typical Ford Ka covers about 5,500 miles a year. A big gap or a drop between MOTs is a warning sign.
7
Finance, stolen and write-off
The records the MOT can't show. A Full Check (£9.99) covers all three before you hand over any money.

Fuel types tested

Petrol98.7%
Diesel1.3%
LPG0%

Most common colours

White, Blue, Red, Silver, Black

Average engine size: 1.2 litres.

Compare

How the Ford Ka compares with its rivals

Ford Ka against similar models
Model	Fail rate	Against same-age cars
Volkswagen up!	18.8%	7% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age
Toyota Aygo	24.5%	about average for its age
Peugeot 107	35.9%	8% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Citroën C1	29.7%	9% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Hyundai i10	26.2%	19% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Ford Ka	32.8%	23% more MOT fails than the average car its age
Kia Picanto	29.3%	27% more MOT fails than the average car its age

Every city car ranked in the city car reliability index, or all Ford models.

Questions

Ford Ka questions, answered

Is the Ford Ka reliable?

On MOT results, the Ford Ka is below average: it fails 32.8% of first MOT tests, 23% more MOT fails than the average car its age and mileage. It ranks 30 of 43 city car models in our index.

What fails most on a Ford Ka MOT?

The most common MOT failures on the Ford Ka are stop lamp not working (2.8% of tests), suspension arm pin/bush excessively worn (2.53% of tests), shock absorber serious fluid leak (2.48% of tests). By area, suspension fails 14.9% of its tests.

Which Ford Ka year is the most reliable?

Among years with 1,000+ tests, 2019 cars do best (5% fewer MOT fails than the average car its age) and 2008 cars do worst (58% more MOT fails than the average car its age).

How many miles does a Ford Ka do a year?

A typical Ford Ka covers about 5,500 miles a year, from the mileage recorded at its MOTs. Check the car you're looking at against that with a free mileage check.

How do I check a Ford Ka before I buy it?

Enter its registration for a free check of its MOT history, mileage, ULEZ status and tax. Before you pay, a Full Check (£9.99) shows outstanding finance, stolen and write-off records.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test results, 2022 to 2024, class 4 vehicles aged 3 to 25, normal tests only. How we compare like with like: our methodology.

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