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Ford Ka Mk1 (1996-2008) reliability

At a glance

Ford Ka Mk1 built around 2008: about average at the MOT

Ford Ka Mk1 models built around 2008 fail their MOT a little more often than similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Looking at a Ford Ka Mk1?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Key figure

37% of MOT tests on Ford Ka Mk1 models built around 2008 ended in a fail (retests included), against 33% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Ford Ka Mk1 models built around 2008 involves the suspension.

Ford Ka Mk1
poor reliability1996-2008HatchbackPETROL

Based on 19,092 tests of Ka models registered 1996-2008.

About 1 in 9 Ka Mk1 MOTs (11.5%) failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. That's for cars built around 2008 (17 years old), all fuels combined.

Based on 4,724 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted. Nor is a fail with no later MOT on record.

About 1 in 12 Ka Mk1 MOTs (8.3%) found at least one dangerous defect. These are cars built around 2008 (17 years old).

Based on 4,724 tests (DVSA MOT results, 2025). Dangerous is the most serious grade an MOT gives: a direct risk to road safety.

Mk1 fail rate by age

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateUK average for cars this age
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
1,86437.4%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
4,72437.1%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
3,32136.8%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
2,70135.6%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
2,10135.4%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,72736.5%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
1,28936.0%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
70435.6%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
29833.9%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
36332.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 16 years old.

How the Ka Mk1 compares

At each age below, see how the Ka Mk1 holds up against other cars the same age. The averages combine all fuel types.

Based on 168,590 tests across 11 Ford models, built around 2008 (17 years old).

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rateFord average
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
1,86437.4%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
4,72437.1%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
3,32136.8%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
2,70135.6%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
2,10135.4%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
1,72736.5%
22 yearsbuilt around 2003
1,28936.0%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
70435.6%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
29833.9%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
36332.0%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs.

What to check before viewing

The model's most common MOT issues, turned into things you can ask about or look for.

Underbody / chassis corrosion

High priority

Get the car on a ramp or jack point and inspect sills, subframe mounts, and rear suspension mounting points.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

Other hatchbacks to compare

Other hatchbacks, with each one's figures taken at the same age as the Ka Mk1.

  1. 1

    Nissan Note

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    33.7%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    6.9%
    Dangerous
    6.9%
    Still registered at 10 years
    96.6%

    Lower fail rate: 33.7%, against 37.1% for the Ford Ka Mk1, both built around 2008.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    19,288 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  2. 2

    Honda Jazz

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    31.8%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.2%
    Dangerous
    8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    98%

    Lower fail rate: 31.8%, against 37.1% for the Ford Ka Mk1, both built around 2008.

    6 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    26,600 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  3. 3

    Peugeot 207

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    35.1%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    8.8%
    Dangerous
    7.1%
    Still registered at 10 years
    92.6%

    Fewer dangerous faults: 7.1%, against 8.3% for the Ford Ka Mk1.

    23,012 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

  4. 4

    Kia Rio

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    33.6%
    Fail, no pass in 3 days
    7.7%
    Dangerous
    8.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.9%

    Lower fail rate: 33.6%, against 37.1% for the Ford Ka Mk1, both built around 2008.

    2 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    1,996 MOT tests on cars built around 2008

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Fail, no pass in 3 days
= the share of MOT tests that failed and still hadn't passed 3 days later. A fail that passed a retest within 3 days, even the same day, isn't counted.
Dangerous
= the share of MOT tests where the tester marked a fault as dangerous. It is against the law to drive the car until it is fixed.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

How many are still registered

94%of all Ford Ka cars first registered in 2014 to 2015 were still registered 10 years later. This is the whole model, not only this generation.

UK average for cars first registered in 2014 to 2015: 92% · About typical

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Source: DfT vehicle licensing statistics (VEH0124).

Recall context

5 recalls in all

2 of the 5 Ka Mk1 recalls cover cars built in these years.

  • 2 recalls

Top concerns

  • Risk of rear brake lockup
  • Reduction in braking efficiency

For the exact car, check GOV.UK's recall checker with the number plate.

What has gone wrong on Ka Mk1 cars built around 2008

The share of petrol cars that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Based on 1,863 cars.

Structural systems

Suspension
73%
Bodywork
39%
Emissions
19%
Steering
6%
Drivetrain
2%

Wear items

Lighting
62%
Tyres
53%
Brakes
41%

Rust, which the MOT calls corrosion: 57% of these cars show rust-related issues at this age.

Check the sills, subframe and brake pipes before you decide.

How Ka Mk1 cars have aged

How Ka Mk1 cars have aged

How fail rates have changed as these cars got older. Each line follows cars first registered in about the same year across several years of MOT data. Not a prediction for any one car.

Some lines cover only a year or two, so read this as a rough guide.

0%10%20%30%40%13151719212325Age at MOTBuilt around 2008, 13 years old at the time of MOT: 38.4% (10,039 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2008, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 37.9% (7,638 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2008, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 37.5% (5,766 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2008, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 37.0% (4,211 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2008, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 36.7% (2,993 tests, 2025 data)2008Built around 2007, 14 years old at the time of MOT: 39.2% (7,649 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2007, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 37.4% (5,537 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2007, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 36.9% (4,091 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2007, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 36.3% (2,948 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2007, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 36.4% (2,122 tests, 2025 data)2007Built around 2006, 15 years old at the time of MOT: 37.5% (5,683 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2006, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 36.3% (4,122 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2006, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 36.7% (3,101 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2006, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 36.2% (2,236 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2006, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 35.5% (1,646 tests, 2025 data)2006Built around 2005, 16 years old at the time of MOT: 38.9% (4,664 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2005, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 36.5% (3,317 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2005, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 35.6% (2,426 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2005, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 36.1% (1,761 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2005, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 34.4% (1,245 tests, 2025 data)2005Built around 2004, 17 years old at the time of MOT: 38.0% (4,038 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2004, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 37.0% (2,899 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2004, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 35.7% (2,112 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2004, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 36.5% (1,517 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2004, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 35.7% (1,138 tests, 2025 data)2004Built around 2003, 18 years old at the time of MOT: 37.6% (3,069 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2003, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 36.2% (2,212 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2003, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 34.6% (1,628 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2003, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 35.3% (1,174 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2003, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 35.6% (898 tests, 2025 data)2003Built around 2002, 19 years old at the time of MOT: 37.0% (1,818 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2002, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 35.7% (1,312 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2002, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 33.6% (901 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2002, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 34.8% (658 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2002, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 35.6% (495 tests, 2025 data)2002Built around 2001, 20 years old at the time of MOT: 36.0% (909 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2001, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 35.3% (624 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2001, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 36.7% (461 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2001, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 35.4% (308 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2001, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 34.6% (211 tests, 2025 data)2001Built around 2000, 21 years old at the time of MOT: 36.6% (402 tests, 2021 data)Built around 2000, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 35.4% (280 tests, 2022 data)Built around 2000, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 30.3% (188 tests, 2023 data)Built around 2000, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 30.7% (137 tests, 2024 data)Built around 2000, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 32.7% (104 tests, 2025 data)2000Built around 1999, 22 years old at the time of MOT: 34.9% (281 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1999, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 34.3% (201 tests, 2022 data)Built around 1999, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 36.9% (149 tests, 2023 data)Built around 1999, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 36.9% (103 tests, 2024 data)1999Built around 1998, 23 years old at the time of MOT: 34.5% (171 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1998, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 31.1% (122 tests, 2022 data)Built around 1998, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 31.6% (95 tests, 2023 data)1998Built around 1997, 24 years old at the time of MOT: 27.0% (74 tests, 2021 data)Built around 1997, 25 years old at the time of MOT: 29.8% (57 tests, 2022 data)1997
First registered around 2008First registered around 2007First registered around 2006First registered around 2005
How each part holds up as Mk1 cars age

How each part holds up as Mk1 cars age

The share of petrol cars built 2005-2008 that have ever failed an MOT on each part of the car. Rates usually rise with age, but can dip slightly as cars leave the road.

Part of the car17 years18 years19 years20 years
Suspension73%81%81%83%
Brakes41%42%47%52%
Emissions19%17%17%21%
Tyres53%53%55%56%
Lighting62%66%65%71%
Drivetrain2%3%3%3%
Bodywork39%38%37%50%
Steering6%7%8%8%
Corrosion57%56%56%63%

Based on petrol cars in the 2005-2008 build-year band, from 1,863 to 2,974 cars at each age.

Mk1 variants compared
All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common issues on Ford Kas of this age

This list covers every Ford Ka built around 2008, whichever generation it is. We don't have a defect list for the Mk1 on its own.

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    29.4%
    Advisory: 1,762Fail: 446 (20% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Suspension mounting area corroded, but not seriously

    27.4%
    Advisory: 1,642Fail: 1,479 (47% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    17.5%
    Advisory: 1,018Fail: 109 (10% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Tyre slightly damaged, cracking or perishing

    17.3%
    Advisory: 993Fail: 217 (18% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    15.4%
    Advisory: 754Fail: 8 (1% of the times it was found)

Based on 4,724 tests

Looking at a Ford Ka Mk1?

Enter its number plate to see its full MOT history, risk rating and running costs.

Frequently asked questions

Built around 2008 (17 years old), the Ford Ka Mk1 (1996-2008) fails MOTs noticeably more often than typical for this age. This is based on 4,724 17-year-old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

*The build year is worked out from the date a car was first used on UK roads. For most cars this matches when it was registered, but imports may differ by a few months.

Data sourced from DVSA MOT History API. From 19,092 MOT tests on Ford Kas first registered between 1996-2008. These figures are a guide, not a guarantee.