Cheapest motoring in Britain, rust permitting.
The Ka spans three distinct generations: the quirky Mk1 (1996-2008) on a shortened Fiesta platform, the Fiat 500-based Mk2 (2008-2016) built in Poland, and the India-built Ka+ (2016-2020). As a budget city car, it competes with the Fiat 500, Hyundai i10, and Kia Picanto. Mk1s are now sub-£1,000 classics, Mk2s sit at £1,500-£4,000, and Ka+ models hold £4,000-£7,000.
We track 5 known issues across the Ford KA range, including 1 rated as safety-critical. Knowing which variants and configurations to approach with caution can save you from expensive surprises after purchase.
Found a Ford KA? Enter the reg to see which of our 5 known issues apply to that exact car, plus full MOT history and mileage checks.
RB (1996–2008) — Engine options included the 1.3 Duratec, 1.6 Duratec. Our database flags 5 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Subframe and suspension mounting corrosion (£500–£1,500 to address).
RU8 (2008–2016) — Petrol options included the 1.2 Duratec, with 1.3 TDCi on the diesel side. Our database flags 3 known issues on this generation, 1 of which are rated as safety-critical. The most significant concern is Subframe and suspension mounting corrosion (£500–£1,500 to address).
Ka+ (2014–2019) — Engine options included the 1.2 Ti-VCT, 1.2 Ti-VCT.
The Ka suffers from severe corrosion around subframe mounting points and suspension attachment areas. MOT data shows this model fails at up to 266 times the national average for suspension component corrosion and structural weakening in prescribed areas. The thin steel construction and inadequate factory rust protection cause mounting points to deteriorate rapidly, particularly on the rear beam axle mounting area and front subframe attachment points. This is a safety-critical structural failure that can affect vehicle control.
Subframe or suspension mounting failure can cause complete loss of vehicle control, particularly dangerous during braking or cornering. Repair typically requires professional welding of new metal sections, often costing more than the car's value. The vehicle is unsafe to drive if structural integrity is compromised.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
The Ka body structure suffers from widespread corrosion at critical mounting points, with MOT data showing failure rates up to 172 times the national average. The problem affects door hinges, seat belt mounting points, and other structural attachment areas. This is distinct from subframe issues but equally serious for vehicle integrity. The lightweight construction and poor corrosion resistance of the base metal make this a progressive issue that worsens rapidly once started.
Structural corrosion at mounting points can compromise crash protection and cause doors or other components to fail unexpectedly. Welded repairs are often required but may not be economical given the car's value. Extensive corrosion can make the vehicle unsafe and unroadworthy.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
First-generation Ka models suffer from power steering pipe corrosion at rates 150 times higher than the national fleet average. The steel high-pressure lines are inadequately protected against corrosion and develop pinhole leaks or complete failure. This primarily affects the feed line from the power steering pump to the rack. Loss of power steering fluid leads to heavy steering effort and potential pump damage if driven with low fluid levels.
Complete power steering failure makes the car difficult and dangerous to control, particularly at low speeds during parking. Continued driving with low fluid will damage the power steering pump, requiring additional expensive repairs. A high-pressure line failure can cause sudden loss of assistance.
During the test drive, check the steering for excessive play, vibration or pulling to one side. Listen for groaning or whining when turning the wheel at low speed. Power steering fluid level and condition should be checked on hydraulic systems.
First-generation Ka models show brake hose failures at 81 times the national fleet average. The rubber brake hoses deteriorate internally and externally, causing swelling, cracking, or complete failure. This is a safety-critical issue as brake hose failure can lead to complete loss of braking on the affected circuit. The front brake hoses are particularly vulnerable due to their exposure to heat from the brake discs and road contaminants.
Brake hose failure can cause partial or complete brake system failure, creating a serious accident risk. A failed hose typically affects one front brake and the opposite rear brake due to the diagonal brake circuit design. Immediate professional attention is required if brake hose problems are suspected.
Check brake disc condition for lipping or scoring. Test braking at moderate speed for pulling to one side or vibration through the steering wheel. Review MOT advisories for brake-related items.
Ka models suffer from progressive sill corrosion that starts from the inside and works outward. The door frame drainage is inadequate, allowing water to collect in the sill structure. This creates an environment for accelerated corrosion that often goes unnoticed until perforation appears. Sill corrosion is a common MOT failure point and can compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle, particularly important for side-impact protection.
Extensive sill corrosion can cause MOT failure and compromise the car's structural integrity during a side impact. Welded repairs are possible but often cost more than the vehicle's value. Early detection allows for preventive treatment, but advanced corrosion typically makes the car uneconomical to repair.
Inspect the wheel arches, sills, jacking points and door bottoms carefully. Press gently on sills to check for soft spots. Look underneath for corrosion on structural components. Check the MOT history for corrosion-related advisories or failures.
For the full breakdown of all 5 tracked issues with repair costs, see the Ford KA common problems page.
Based on 1.1M real DVSA MOT tests, the Ford KA fails more often than average on several items. The biggest outlier is abs fault at 517x the fleet average, followed by body, cab or chassis corroded at mounting point... (213x).
When viewing a specific car, check its MOT history for recurring advisories in these categories. See the full Ford KA MOT failure breakdown for data at every mileage point.
Routine servicing (oil and filter change every 10k miles) typically costs £60–£90 at an independent garage.
See the full Ford KA service schedule for every interval and cost breakdown.
The Ford KA has some well-documented weak points, including 1 safety-critical issue that demand careful checking. The right example, properly maintained, can still be a sound purchase — but cutting corners on the pre-purchase inspection is not advisable. 2003-2006 for Mk1 (Duratec engine, ABS standard, pre-worst rust years). 2012-2014 for Mk2 (post-early production issues, timing chain concerns less prevalent on lower-mileage survivors). 2019-2020 for Ka+ (battery harness TSB applied at factory, most refined version).
Before committing, check the car's full MOT history, verify the service record is complete, and if possible arrange a specialist inspection. Enter any registration into our free report to see the complete picture.
Get Car Wise maintains a database of known mechanical issues for every popular car on UK roads, tracking the faults that owners, specialists and DVSA data reveal.
When you run a report on a specific Ford KA, we cross-reference the exact variant, engine and age against our database of 5 known issues. Combined with full MOT history analysis, mileage verification and DVLA data, you get a complete picture before viewing.
Enter the registration for MOT history, mileage verification, known faults for that exact variant, and a Get Car Wise Score.
This guide was compiled from independent expert reviews, DVSA MOT data, specialist workshops and our own database of 5 known Ford KA issues. We are not affiliated with any source listed.