2003 Ford Ka MOT pass rate: 58.6% (4,442 tests)
Is the 2003 Ka getting worse?
Pass rate of 2003-registered cars across recent test years:
| Test year | Pass rate | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 59.0% -5.5 vs same-age |
|
| 2024 | 58.7% -6.1 vs same-age |
|
| 2025 | 57.8% -8.3 vs same-age |
The raw rate normally falls as cars age. The “vs same-age” figure compares this cohort with all UK cars registered in the same year, so normal ageing is not mistaken for a bad model year.
What fails on a 2003 Ka
| # | System | Defects recorded | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 2,637 | 36.8% |
| 2 | Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1,208 | 16.9% |
| 3 | Brakes | 775 | 10.8% |
| 4 | Body, chassis, structure | 757 | 10.6% |
| 5 | Tyres | 458 | 6.4% |
| 6 | Visibility | 419 | 5.9% |
All Ka years compared
| Registration year | Tests | Pass rate | Vs same-age | Median mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 2,634 | 57.3% | -8.4 pts | 47,420 |
| 2003 (this page) | 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 |
Weighing up which year to buy? See the full ranking: Ford Ka years to avoid.
- Free MOT history checkThe exact car’s failures, advisories and mileage trail — sellers can’t edit it
- Topdon OBD2 scannersTopdon diagnostic scanners with full-system readouts
- XTOOL diagnostic toolsXTOOL code readers for petrol and diesel cars
- Autel UK testersAutel professional-grade diagnostic testers
FAQs
Is a 2003 Ford Ka reliable?
2003-registered examples passed 58.6% of their MOT tests (4,442 tests, 2023–2025), -6.4 points versus all UK cars registered in the same year. At roughly 23 years old with a median 52,220 miles, condition now varies car by car — always check the individual MOT history.
What mileage is too high for a 2003 Ka?
The median tested example shows 52,220 miles. Anything far beyond that isn't automatically bad — a motorway-mile car with consistent service records often beats a low-mileage school-run car — but price accordingly and scrutinise the mileage trail for gaps or drops.
Source: DVSA Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023–2025 extracts (96 million Class 4 initial tests; retests excluded). Only vehicles old enough for a routine first MOT are included. Age-adjusted figures compare the model-year cohort with all vehicles of the same registration year tested in the same calendar year. Contains public sector information licensed under OGL v3.0.