Ford Ka MOT pass rate: 72.1% (168,504 tests, 2025)

The Ford Ka passed 72.1% of its 168,504 MOT tests in 2025 — 5.4 points below the UK average of 77.5%. The median tested example was 12 years old with 55,309 miles on the clock.
72.1%Pass rate (2025)
168,504MOT tests analysed
55,309 miMedian mileage at test
12 yrsMedian age at test

How the Ka compares

Ford Ka

72.1%

UK average (all Class 4 vehicles)

77.5% across 33.1 million tests

Ford average (all models)

75.3%

What fails most on the Ford Ka

Across failed and rectified tests in 2025, these vehicle systems produced the most defects on the Ka:

#SystemDefects recordedShare
1Suspension44,27835.5%
2Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment20,36116.3%
3Brakes20,01416.0%
4Tyres13,27610.6%
5Body, chassis, structure9,1657.3%
6Visibility7,5556.0%

Pre-MOT checklist for Ka owners

Based on the failure profile above, ten minutes with a torch before your test removes the most likely fail items:

  • Bounce each corner and listen for clonks over speed bumps — suspension is this model’s (and the UK’s) top failure system
  • Walk round with all lights on: one blown bulb is the most avoidable fail there is
  • Feel for a spongy pedal or pulling to one side; check pad wear through the wheel spokes if visible
  • Check tread with the 20p test and inspect sidewalls for cracking — tyres close to the limit are the country’s most common advisory
  • Look underneath for corrosion around sills and subframes, especially on older cars
Check the engine before the tester does

A stored fault code with the engine light on is an automatic Major defect. Scan and clear resolved faults before booking.

Ka pass rate by registration year

Lower age-adjusted outliers to inspect carefully: 2002, 2007, 2008. Strongest age-adjusted years: 2017, 2019. Full ranking and method: Ford Ka years to avoid.

Registration yearTestsPass rateVs same-ageMedian mileage
2002 2,634 57.3% -8.4 pts 47,420
2003 4,442 58.6% -6.4 pts 52,220
2004 5,941 56.7% -7.6 pts 51,574
2005 7,108 57.8% -6.7 pts 50,926
2006 8,612 57.0% -7.4 pts 51,934
2007 11,905 56.6% -8.5 pts 53,072
2008 15,019 56.3% -8.9 pts 53,092
2009 50,709 62.8% -3.6 pts 75,147
2010 53,203 64.1% -3.3 pts 72,480
2011 46,376 68.7% -0.4 pts 67,063
2012 49,578 71.7% +0.5 pts 61,210
2013 54,493 74.1% +0.7 pts 56,232
2014 54,395 76.9% +1.1 pts 49,598
2015 38,996 76.1% -2.6 pts 43,609
2016 24,525 79.2% -2.1 pts 38,534
2017 39,287 88.3% +4.3 pts 33,478
2018 32,287 87.4% +1.1 pts 28,834
2019 29,490 92.1% +3.7 pts 23,076

Check a specific Ka before you buy

Pass rates describe the model; they can’t tell you about the one car you’re looking at. Run its plate through our free MOT history check to see its personal record of failures, advisories and mileage readings.

Other Ford models

Fiesta71.7% pass rate · 1,279,795 tests Focus74.3% pass rate · 850,793 tests Transit68.9% pass rate · 275,334 tests Kuga81.7% pass rate · 248,991 tests Mondeo73.0% pass rate · 171,083 tests Transit Connect73.2% pass rate · 157,376 tests Ranger77.4% pass rate · 121,272 tests Ecosport83.6% pass rate · 108,543 tests

FAQs

What is the MOT pass rate for a Ford Ka?

In 2025, 72.1% of 168,504 first MOT tests on the Ford Ka were passes (UK average: 77.5%). Data: DVSA anonymised MOT results.

What does the Ka fail its MOT on most?

The biggest defect group is suspension (35.5% of its recorded defects), followed by lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment.

Is the Ford Ka reliable?

MOT pass rate is one lens on durability: at 72.1% it performs below the national average at a median age of 12 years and 55,309 miles. Always check the individual car's history too.

Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2025 extract (Class 4 initial tests only; retests excluded). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Figures rounded to one decimal place.