Ford Ka: what fails at MOT
236,000 MOT tests on the Ford Ka in 2024, counted. 33.7% failed at the first attempt.
The short answer
33.7% of Ford Ka tests failed at the first attempt. Cars of the same ages averaged 30.9%, so the Ka is about average for its age.
It fails most often on suspension (10.8% of tests), lights and electrics (8.4% of tests) and brakes (5.7% of tests). It fails on suspension more often than most cars its age.
By year of registration
Older cars fail more, whatever the model. So each year is shown beside the figure for all cars first used that year.
| First used | Tests | Failed first time | All cars that year | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 13,610 | 11.5% | 13.4% | 23,600 15,600 to 33,800 |
| 2018 | 11,625 | 16.9% | 15.6% | 29,400 19,500 to 40,700 |
| 2017 | 11,236 | 17.0% | 18.2% | 33,900 22,700 to 47,300 |
| 2016 | 10,149 | 26.9% | 21.3% | 39,700 27,000 to 53,700 |
| 2015 | 18,052 | 28.7% | 24.4% | 44,400 30,300 to 59,500 |
| 2014 | 25,339 | 29.3% | 27.7% | 50,700 36,200 to 66,100 |
| 2013 | 25,481 | 31.8% | 30.6% | 57,200 42,000 to 73,400 |
| 2012 | 23,475 | 35.3% | 33.4% | 62,500 46,000 to 79,000 |
| 2011 | 22,754 | 37.3% | 36.1% | 68,100 50,600 to 86,200 |
| 2010 | 25,840 | 41.4% | 38.6% | 73,800 55,600 to 92,100 |
| 2009 | 24,893 | 44.0% | 39.8% | 77,000 57,400 to 95,800 |
| 2008 | 7,392 | 52.4% | 41.5% | 54,400 38,800 to 71,800 |
| 2007 | 5,979 | 52.1% | 41.5% | 54,800 39,700 to 70,200 |
| 2006 | 4,074 | 52.5% | 42.4% | 52,900 37,600 to 69,300 |
| 2005 | 3,375 | 50.5% | 42.2% | 51,800 36,500 to 68,400 |
| 2004 | 2,842 | 51.0% | 42.3% | 54,100 37,600 to 68,500 |
Green is at least three points better than other cars that year, red at least three points worse. Typical mileage is the middle reading at the test, with the range the middle half of cars fell in.
Where it fails
The share of Ford Ka tests with at least one failure in each part of the MOT, beside what cars of the same ages average.
| Part of the test | Ka | Cars its age |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension More than most | 10.8% | 7.5% |
| Lights and electrics | 8.4% | 9.0% |
| Brakes | 5.7% | 5.2% |
| Tyres | 4.5% | 4.6% |
| Wipers, washers and windscreen | 3.9% | 3.3% |
| Body and structure | 3.2% | 2.7% |
| Exhaust and emissions | 2.5% | 2.5% |
| Steering | 1.0% | 1.6% |
The parts that fail most
- Shock absorbers4.1%
- Tyre2.9%
- Brake light2.5%
- Suspension pins and bushes2.5%
- Ball joint2.3%
- Washers2.0%
- Exhaust system2.0%
- Side light1.9%
- Brake test1.9%
- Headlamp aim1.9%
Share of tests with a failure on that part.
The most common failures
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn2.4%
- Brake light: not working2.4%
- Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak2.3%
- Ball joint: excessively worn2.2%
- Side light: not working1.9%
- Tyre tread: below requirements of 1.6mm1.8%
- Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush1.8%
- Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively1.8%
- Brake test: efficiency below requirements1.6%
- Exhaust system: has a major leak of exhaust gases1.5%
What testers warn about
Advisories are things that passed this time but are wearing. They are the best guide to next year's bills.
- Tyre tread: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge13.0%
- Suspension pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement9.2%
- Tyre: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing7.9%
- Coil spring: corroded7.0%
- Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil5.9%
- Exhaust system: has a minor leak of exhaust gases5.8%
- Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened4.7%
- Brake pads: wearing thin4.0%
What these figures can't tell you
An MOT is a safety and emissions test. These figures show how often the model fails that test. They say nothing about engines, gearboxes or electronics that break between tests, and how a car has been looked after matters more than its badge. The car you are looking at has its own MOT record, and that is the one to read.
Ask before you travel
- “Have any suspension parts been replaced, such as springs, ball joints or bushes, and can I see the invoice?”
- “Do all the lights work, including the number plate lights and brake lights?”
- “When were the brake pads and discs last changed?”
- “How much tread is left on each tyre, and how old are they?”
Check a Ford Ka's own MOT record
Looking at a Ka? Type its registration to see every test that car has had, what it failed on and what it was warned about, free.
Where this comes from
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2024, published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. The counting is Hindsight's own.
First-attempt MOT tests of cars first used 2004 to 2021. A test counts as failed if it failed or only passed after a repair during the test. Retests are left out. Built on 13 November 2026.