MOT performance
Ford Ka MOT pass rate and common failures
Across 370,138 MOT tests of the Ford Ka in 2023–2024, 67.5% passed first time. Allowing for age, mileage and fuel, Ford Kas failed 15% more often than comparable cars. The most common failure item was “stop lamp: not working”, on 3.15% of tests.
370,138 MOT tests on 187,765 vehicles, 2023–2024 · Source: DVSA (Open Government Licence) · Analysis: 73 Auto
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| Figure | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| First-time pass rate | 67.5% | ±0.2 pts (95%), n = 370,138 |
| Failures vs similar cars | 1.15× | same age, mileage and fuel = 1.00 |
| Tests with a dangerous defect | 8.2% | n = 370,138 |
| Average age at test | 10.5 years | n = 370,138 |
| Median mileage at test | 50,248 miles | n = 370,138 |
| Vehicles tested | 187,765 | 2023–2024 |
Where Ford Kas fail
The share of MOT tests that failed on each area, and how that compares with cars of the same age, mileage and fuel. Areas where the difference is large and clear link to their own page.
| Area | Tests failed on it | vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 14.4% | +64% |
| Lights, reflectors and electrical | 11.4% | +5% |
| Brakes | 7.6% | +25% |
| Tyres | 6.0% | +6% |
| Driver's view of the road | 5.4% | +11% |
| Body, chassis and structure | 4.3% | +45% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.1% | +10% |
| Seat belts and airbags | 1.3% | +81% |
| Steering | 1.3% | -22% |
| Road wheels | 0.3% | +11% |
| Registration plates and VIN | 0.3% | -7% |
| Speedometer and driving controls | 0.0% | +280% |
Most common failure items
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Stop lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 3.15% |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 2.85% |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 2.83% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively | Driver's view of the road | 2.48% |
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 2.44% |
| Position lamp: not working | Lights, reflectors and electrical | 2.43% |
| Ball joint: ball joint excessively worn | Suspension | 2.40% |
| Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush | Suspension | 2.27% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid | Driver's view of the road | 1.94% |
| Rbt (sp): efficiency below requirements | Brakes | 1.93% |
Most common advisories
Advisories are items the tester expects to need attention soon; they don't fail the test.
| Item | Area | Share of tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm | Tyres | 15.94% |
| Condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure | Tyres | 10.65% |
| Pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension | 10.44% |
| Coil spring: corroded so that its cross sectional area is reduced and seriously weakened | Suspension | 8.65% |
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | Suspension | 7.37% |
Pass rate by age
| Age at test (years) | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-4 | 25,560 | 89.1% | -6% |
| 5-6 | 43,516 | 83.9% | +4% |
| 7-8 | 47,245 | 74.4% | +22% |
| 9-10 | 70,445 | 70.0% | +9% |
| 11-12 | 68,007 | 64.0% | +8% |
| 13-15 | 82,377 | 56.1% | +16% |
| 16+ | 32,983 | 50.0% | +45% |
Pass rate by registration year
| Registered | Tests | First-time pass rate | Failures vs similar cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 20,043 | 89.5% | 0.90× |
| 2018 | 21,992 | 84.5% | 1.11× |
| 2017 | 26,613 | 84.3% | 0.96× |
| 2016 | 16,599 | 75.4% | 1.28× |
| 2015 | 26,526 | 72.4% | 1.25× |
| 2014 | 37,051 | 72.0% | 1.09× |
| 2013 | 37,139 | 68.8% | 1.07× |
| 2012 | 34,078 | 65.8% | 1.08× |
| 2011 | 32,039 | 63.1% | 1.06× |
| 2010 | 37,036 | 58.4% | 1.11× |
| 2009 | 35,720 | 56.8% | 1.11× |
| 2008 | 11,658 | 48.5% | 1.49× |
| 2007 | 9,247 | 49.1% | 1.46× |
| 2006 | 6,668 | 49.2% | 1.46× |
| 2005 | 5,509 | 50.7% | 1.42× |
| 2004 | 4,578 | 49.1% | 1.45× |
| 2003 | 3,419 | 51.7% | 1.37× |
| 2002 | 2,031 | 51.5% | 1.44× |
| 2001 | 1,075 | 51.2% | 1.48× |
| 2000 | 471 | 57.5% | 1.39× |
| 1999 | 317 | 50.2% | 1.69× |
Years with fewer tests are shown for completeness; only years with enough tests have their own page.
Compared with similar models
Check a specific Ford Ka
Enter a UK registration to see that car's own MOT history and what it is likely to cost to own. Your first check is free and shows the vehicle summary and its headline ownership cost. The category-by-category breakdown is part of a paid check.
UK number plate or 17-character VIN
About this data. These are MOT test results, not a measure of mechanical reliability: a car's MOT outcome reflects its condition on the day, which depends on how it has been maintained and driven as well as how it was built. Figures cover class 4 vehicles (cars and light vans), normal tests only (retests excluded), outcomes pass, fail and pass after rectification at the station; vehicles at least 2.5 years old at test. Tests from 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-30. “Compared with similar cars” means compared with the national rate for cars of the same age, mileage band and fuel. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Makes and models are matched to 73 Auto's vehicle catalogue; tests that can't be matched are left out rather than guessed. See how the MOT figures are produced.