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Ford Ka Service Costs & Schedule

What a Ford Ka actually costs to service, what needs doing at each interval, and where you can save. If you're buying one, we also cover how to check whether the previous owner actually kept up with the schedule.

RB (1996–2008)1.3 Duratec, 1.6 Duratec
RU8 (2008–2016)1.2 Duratec, 1.3 TDCi
Ka+ (2014–2019)1.2 Ti-VCT, 1.2 Ti-VCT

Ford Ka service: key facts

Routine service items

These are the items covered in a standard service. Most garages include oil, oil filter and a basic inspection. The rest are typically checked or replaced on a schedule.

Service itemIntervalTypical cost
Engine oil and filter
Ford specifies 10,000 mile intervals for all Ka engines.
RB, RU8, Ka+
 10,000 miles or 1 year
£60–£90
Dealer: £90–£130
Air filter
Ford handbook specifies 20,000 miles. Check more frequently in dusty conditions. Blocked filter reduces performance and increases fuel consumption on these naturally aspirated engines.
RB, RU8, Ka+
 20,000 miles or 2 years
£15–£25
Dealer: £25–£40
Cabin pollen filter
Replace every 20,000 miles or 2 years. Blocked filter reduces heater and air conditioning effectiveness. Located behind glove box on most variants - moderately accessible for DIY replacement.
RB, RU8, Ka+
 20,000 miles or 2 years
£25–£40
Dealer: £40–£60

Has this Ford Ka been serviced on schedule?

Check the dealer service records to see if the work above was actually done.

★GB

£6.99 · Full refund if no records found

Periodic maintenance

Items that don't need doing at every service but should be on your radar at the right mileage or age.

Service itemIntervalTypical cost
Spark plugs
Ford recommends 20,000 miles for standard plugs.
RB, RU8, Ka+
 20,000 miles or 2 years
£40–£65
Dealer: £70–£95
Brake fluid
Ford specifies 2-year intervals regardless of mileage. Brake fluid absorbs moisture over time, reducing boiling point and causing internal corrosion. Essential safety item - do not extend intervals.
RB, RU8, Ka+
 2 years
£45–£70
Dealer: £70–£100
Coolant flush
Ford long-life coolant rated for 100,000 miles or 10 years.
RB, RU8, Ka+
 100,000 miles or 10 years
£80–£120
Dealer: £120–£180

Known issues to watch for

The most common problems reported on the Ford Ka, ranked by severity.

dangerous
Subframe and suspension mounting corrosion (RB/RU8)
The Ka suffers from severe corrosion around subframe mounting points and suspension attachment areas.
major
Body structural corrosion at mounting points (RB/RU8)
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.
major
Power steering pipe corrosion (RB)
First-generation Ka models suffer from power steering pipe corrosion at rates 150 times higher than the national fleet average.
major
Brake hose deterioration (RB)
First-generation Ka models show brake hose failures at 81 times the national fleet average.

1 more known issues tracked. Check a specific Ford Ka's service records — a missed service on one of these issues could mean an expensive surprise.

Buying a used Ford Ka? Check its service history first.

A Ka with a patchy service history can cost you thousands in missed timing belts, skipped oil changes, and hidden neglect. We pull the franchised dealer records — every visit, every stamp, every mileage reading — so you can see exactly what's been done and what's been skipped.

£6.99 · No records found = full refund, zero risk

Related

Ford Ka service FAQs

How often does a Ford Ka need servicing?

A Ford Ka needs servicing every 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first. Ford specifies 10,000 mile intervals for all Ka engines.

What does a Ford Ka service cost?

A basic service at an independent garage costs £60–£90. Main dealer servicing runs £90–£130. Major items like timing belts or gearbox services cost significantly more. Independent garages are typically 30 to 50% cheaper for the same work.

Is a Ford Ka expensive to maintain?

Routine servicing starts from £60 at an independent garage, which is below average for this class of car. The bigger costs come from periodic items like timing belts, brake fluid changes, and transmission servicing. Keeping on top of the schedule avoids expensive failures.

How do I check a Ford Ka's service history?

You can check any Ford Ka's dealer service records online using just the registration number. The check retrieves every logged dealer visit, including dates, mileage, and work done, so you can see whether the schedule has been followed or if there are gaps. It costs £6.99 and you get a full refund if no records are found.