Model reliability

Ford Ka reliability

The Ford Ka fails its MOT about as often as most cars over 10 years old: 41% of 97,836 tests failed in 2023, against 39.7% on average.

Up to 5 years old

11.8% failed their MOT

Better than most

From 21,053 MOT tests of Ford Kas this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 3× as oftenHeadlamps1.9% vs 0.7%Fix about £30

Fails 7× as oftenSteering linkage components1.3% vs 0.2%

6 to 10 years old

24.6% failed their MOT

About average

From 72,470 MOT tests of Ford Kas this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 5× as oftenShock absorbers4.3% vs 0.8%Fix about £200

Fails 43% more oftenSuspension arms3.3% vs 2.3%

Fails 67% more oftenStop lamp2.5% vs 1.5%Fix about £30

Fails 3× as oftenExhaust system1.7% vs 0.6%Fix about £150

Advised 4× as oftenShock absorbers11.4% vs 3%Fix about £200

Advised 85% more oftenSuspension arms9.8% vs 5.3%

Advised 4× as oftenSprings6.3% vs 1.5%Fix about £150

Advised 4× as oftenExhaust system6.2% vs 1.4%Fix about £150

Over 10 years old

41% failed their MOT

About average

From 97,836 MOT tests of Ford Kas this age.

Where it does worse than other cars this age

Fails 49% more oftenSuspension arms7.6% vs 5.1%

Fails 3× as oftenShock absorbers6.1% vs 1.8%Fix about £200

Fails 3× as oftenComponent mounting prescribed areas4.5% vs 1.4%

Fails 31% more oftenWipers3.4% vs 2.6%

Advised 47% more oftenSuspension arms17.8% vs 12.1%

Advised 86% more oftenSprings11.7% vs 6.3%Fix about £150

Advised 2× as oftenExhaust system11.2% vs 5.3%Fix about £150

Advised 2× as oftenShock absorbers10.6% vs 5%Fix about £200

Safety recalls

5 DVSA recalls for the Ford Ka

Most cover a batch of cars built in a set period, and dealers fix them free. Sweep’s check shows the recalls for a car’s age and whether the DVSA has one outstanding.

R/2019/22826 Jul 2019Built 2017–2019Un-fused battery monitoring system wire chafing

Un-fused Battery Monitoring System (BMS) Wire Chafing.

Fix: Visual inspection of the BMS wiring and replace the wire if damage is identified. Cloth tape is to be used to wrap the BMS wiring and install a wiring harness retaining clip on all vehicles

Recalled models: KA · 9,788 vehicles

R/2015/06212 May 2015Built 2014Driver seatbelt latch may fail in the event of a frontal collision

The rear seat belt buckle (catch) could be defective. In the event of a frontal impact a defective buckle could fail causing the rear seat occupant to be unrestrained by the seat belt.

Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to check the rear seat belt buckles and if found to be part of the defective batch new buckles will be fitted.

Recalled models: KA · 260 vehicles

R/2009/01917 Feb 2009Built 2008–2009Risk of rear brake lockup

It has been identified that the rear brake back plate bolts may not have been tightened to the specified torque. Should a back plate bolt fall into the brake drum damage to the brake linings and or wheel lockup could occur.

Fix: Recalled vehicles will have the rear brake back plate bolts checked to ensure that they have been tightened to the specified torque.

Recalled models: KA · 7,156 vehicles

R/2002/08522 Jul 2002Front brake hose retention

There is a possibility that the front brake hose might foul and rub on the front wheel rim which might lead to a brake fluid leak and a possible loss in braking performance.

Fix: Recall affected vehicles and fit tie strap to secure front brake hose to the support clip.

Recalled models: KA · 31,605 vehicles

R/1998/11517 Dec 1998Built 1998Reduction in braking efficiency

Possible loss of one braking circuit due to brake master cylinder failure

Fix: Affected vehicles are being recalled for checking and where necessary replacement of the brake master cylinder.

Recalled models: KA · 1,142 vehicles

DVSA vehicle safety recalls (Crown copyright, Open Government Licence).

Checking a Ford Ka before you buy

Look at the parts above at the viewing, and read the car’s own MOT history: advisories for the same parts suggest the problem is already starting. Sweep’s free check shows every MOT, advisory and mileage reading for a registration.

Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests 2023 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Failure rates compare this model with all cars in the same age band. Fix prices are typical independent-garage estimates.

Ford Ka reliability

5 DVSA recalls for the Ford Ka

Checking a Ford Ka before you buy

Run this check on every listing, automatically.