At a Glance
The Ford Ka has 62 identified common problems across 3 generations, with the Mk1 (1996-2008) being the most affected generation and suspension the most common problem category. Based on 6.2M MOT tests from DVSA data.
Problems are patterns in the DVSA data that occur significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average — confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read our DVSA MOT data methodology →
Below: generation-by-generation comparison of Ford Ka common problems, MOT failure types, and pass-rate data drawn from DVSA records. Click any generation to see fuel- and engine-specific fault patterns, mileage-banded repair guidance, and the most common MOT failures testers record.
MOT Tests & Failures by Generation
Ford Ka generations by MOT tests, failures, and identified problems from DVSA data
Hover over each bar for a full breakdown. Tap any bar to view that generation's problems.
Showing total MOT tests, failures, and known problems per make. Hover over each bar for a full breakdown.
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Browse Ford Ka Generations
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Most Common Ford Ka MOT Failures
Every reason Ford Ka vehicles fail their MOT, ranked by frequency. Select an individual year to see only that year’s failures, or stay on ‘All time’ for the combined picture across our 20 years of DVSA data. Scroll inside the table for the full list.
| # | Failure | % of failures |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyre tread depth below limit | 16.27% |
| 2 | Stop lamp not working | 9.15% |
| 3 | Suspension joint or bush worn | 8.42% |
| 4 | Exhaust system fault | 4.72% |
| 5 | Tyre condition | 4.10% |
| 6 | Wiper blades deteriorated | 3.96% |
| 7 | Brake pads or linings worn | 3.78% |
| 8 | Brake disc or drum worn | 3.68% |
| 9 | Shock absorber worn or leaking | 3.55% |
| 10 | Catalytic converter efficiency low | 3.35% |
| 11 | Number plate lamp not working | 3.05% |
| 12 | Coil spring broken or corroded | 2.71% |
| 13 | Front lamp not working | 2.55% |
| 14 | Brake performance below minimum | 2.37% |
| 15 | Windscreen washer not working | 2.02% |
| 16 | Position lamp not working | 1.71% |
| 17 | Fog lamp not working | 1.48% |
| 18 | Headlamp fault | 1.44% |
| 19 | Parking brake performance below minimum | 1.40% |
| 20 | Spark ignition emissions above threshold | 1.37% |
| 21 | Driveshaft fault | 1.05% |
| 22 | Headlamp aim defect | 1.02% |
| 23 | Chassis condition | 0.95% |
| 24 | Mirror damaged or missing | 0.95% |
| 25 | Parking brake condition | 0.85% |
| 26 | Windscreen damage affecting view | 0.83% |
| 27 | Ball joint dust cover split | 0.82% |
| 28 | Track rod end worn | 0.81% |
| 29 | Suspension mounting corroded | 0.69% |
| 30 | Flexible brake hose damaged | 0.61% |
| 31 | Brake hydraulic component worn | 0.59% |
| 32 | Spring mounting corroded | 0.56% |
| 33 | Rear lamp not working | 0.55% |
| 34 | ABS fault | 0.41% |
| 35 | Indicator fault | 0.39% |
| 36 | Subframe mounting corroded | 0.36% |
| 37 | Front suspension fault | 0.35% |
| 38 | Battery loose or leaking | 0.34% |
| 39 | Vehicle structure corrosion | 0.33% |
| 40 | MacPherson strut worn | 0.31% |
| 41 | Seat belt condition | 0.28% |
| 42 | Rear fog lamp not working | 0.28% |
| 43 | Wheel bearing worn | 0.26% |
| 44 | Rigid brake pipe corroded or damaged | 0.26% |
| 45 | Suspension linkage fault | 0.25% |
| 46 | King pin or swivel pin worn | 0.24% |
| 47 | Front suspension joint worn | 0.23% |
| 48 | Airbag warning light on | 0.22% |
| 49 | Body corrosion or damage | 0.21% |
| 50 | Rear suspension fault | 0.18% |
| 51 | Electrical switch fault | 0.17% |
| 52 | Tyre valve stem damaged | 0.17% |
| 53 | Steering rack fault | 0.15% |
| 54 | Horn not working | 0.15% |
| 55 | Brake pedal movement restricted | 0.15% |
| 56 | Drag link end worn | 0.14% |
| 57 | Tyre size or type not matched | 0.14% |
| 58 | Engine oil leak | 0.12% |
| 59 | Subframe corrosion or damage | 0.11% |
| 60 | Brake lever fault | 0.09% |
| 61 | Fuel cap damaged or missing | 0.09% |
| 62 | Brake fluid level low or contaminated | 0.09% |
| 63 | Steering lock fault | 0.08% |
| 64 | Front passenger door fault | 0.08% |
| 65 | Headlamp levelling device fault | 0.08% |
| 66 | Reversing lamp not working | 0.08% |
| 67 | Bumper damaged or insecure | 0.07% |
| 68 | Compression ignition emissions above threshold | 0.07% |
| 69 | Brake caliper fault | 0.07% |
| 70 | Spare wheel fault | 0.06% |
| 71 | Power steering pipe or hose leaking | 0.06% |
| 72 | Tyre pressure monitoring system fault | 0.06% |
| 73 | Electrical wiring fault | 0.05% |
| 74 | Fuel tank corroded or leaking | 0.05% |
| 75 | Handbrake lever fault | 0.05% |
| 76 | Bonded suspension condition | 0.05% |
| 77 | Power steering pump fault | 0.05% |
| 78 | Fuel pipe corroded or damaged | 0.05% |
| 79 | Brake pedal fault | 0.05% |
| 80 | Brake wheel cylinder fault | 0.05% |
| 81 | Driver door fault | 0.04% |
| 82 | Rear reflector damaged or missing | 0.04% |
| 83 | Suspension arm worn or corroded | 0.04% |
| 84 | Dashboard warning lamp fault | 0.04% |
| 85 | Steering column fault | 0.04% |
| 86 | Brake fluid leak | 0.03% |
| 87 | Anti-roll bar worn or corroded | 0.03% |
| 88 | Brake fluid reservoir fault | 0.03% |
| 89 | Suspension unit fault | 0.03% |
| 90 | Suspension retaining or locking device fault | 0.03% |
| 91 | Brake cable, rod, lever or linkage fault | 0.03% |
| 92 | Bonnet catch or hinge fault | 0.03% |
| 93 | Handbrake cable fault | 0.03% |
| 94 | Steering free play excessive | 0.03% |
| 95 | Handbrake mechanism or mounting fault | 0.02% |
| 96 | Vehicle floor corroded | 0.02% |
| 97 | Brake master cylinder or servo mounting fault | 0.02% |
| 98 | Brake fluid warning light on | 0.02% |
| 99 | Driver seat fault | 0.02% |
| 100 | Steering arm worn | 0.02% |
| 101 | Steering operation fault | 0.02% |
| 102 | Fuel hose damaged or leaking | 0.02% |
| 103 | Boot lid damaged or insecure | 0.02% |
| 104 | Driver airbag fault | 0.02% |
| 105 | Transmission oil leak | 0.01% |
| 106 | Engine mounting worn or broken | 0.01% |
| 107 | Passenger seat fault | 0.01% |
| 108 | Electronic stability control fault | 0.01% |
| 109 | Tie bar or rod worn or corroded | 0.01% |
| 110 | Steering drive system fault | 0.01% |
| 111 | Exhaust leak | 0.01% |
| 112 | Stub axle worn | 0.01% |
| 113 | Axle corroded or damaged | 0.01% |
| 114 | Speedometer fault | 0.01% |
| 115 | Tailgate damaged or insecure | 0.01% |
| 116 | Electric power steering fault | 0.01% |
| 117 | Axle beam corroded or cracked | <0.01% |
| 118 | Body security fault | <0.01% |
| 119 | Dip switch fault | <0.01% |
| 120 | Brake valve fault | <0.01% |
| 121 | Universal joint worn | <0.01% |
| 122 | Brake back plate corroded or damaged | <0.01% |
| 123 | Hydraulic brake cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 124 | Hydraulic fluid leak | <0.01% |
| 125 | CV joint worn | <0.01% |
| 126 | Exhaust emissions above threshold (non-catalyst) | <0.01% |
| 127 | Steering coupling worn | <0.01% |
| 128 | Power steering ram fault | <0.01% |
| 129 | Rear fog lamp warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 130 | Brake master cylinder fault | <0.01% |
| 131 | Propshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 132 | Indicator warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 133 | Body strengthening plate corroded | <0.01% |
| 134 | Hazard warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 135 | Brake servo fault | <0.01% |
| 136 | Steering damper fault | <0.01% |
| 137 | Mirror or camera fault | <0.01% |
| 138 | Steering box fault | <0.01% |
| 139 | Brake pressure or vacuum buildup insufficient | <0.01% |
| 140 | Main beam warning light fault | <0.01% |
| 141 | Undertray damaged or missing | <0.01% |
| 142 | Trailing arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 143 | Access panel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 144 | Window damaged or won't operate | <0.01% |
| 145 | Daytime running lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 146 | Front fog lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 147 | Brake air or vacuum system fault | <0.01% |
| 148 | Steering wheel damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 149 | Additional braking device fault | <0.01% |
| 150 | Brake linkage mounting fault | <0.01% |
| 151 | Brake pedal linkage fault | <0.01% |
| 152 | Radius arm worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 153 | Seat belt anchorage fault | <0.01% |
| 154 | Semaphore indicator fault | <0.01% |
| 155 | Passenger airbag fault | <0.01% |
| 156 | Reversing lamp switch fault | <0.01% |
| 157 | Full power hydraulic brake fault | <0.01% |
| 158 | Exhaust heat shield or sound insulation damaged | <0.01% |
| 159 | Steering intermediate drop arm worn | <0.01% |
| 160 | Leaf spring broken or corroded | <0.01% |
| 161 | Suspension rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 162 | Electronic braking system fault | <0.01% |
| 163 | Outline marker lamp not working | <0.01% |
| 164 | Wheel hub fault | <0.01% |
| 165 | Suspension linkage attachment bracket or mounting corroded | <0.01% |
| 166 | Towbar fault | <0.01% |
| 167 | Transmission drive belt fault | <0.01% |
| 168 | Seat belt or padding damaged | <0.01% |
| 169 | Steering shaft fault | <0.01% |
| 170 | Halfshaft fault | <0.01% |
| 171 | Hand-operated brake valve condition | <0.01% |
| 172 | Seat belt pre-tensioner fault | <0.01% |
| 173 | Electronic parking brake fault | <0.01% |
| 174 | Steering lock stop fault | <0.01% |
| 175 | Torsion bar worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 176 | Air brake cylinder or actuator fault | <0.01% |
| 177 | Passenger compartment corrosion | <0.01% |
| 178 | Torque or reaction arm worn | <0.01% |
| 179 | Brake slack adjuster fault | <0.01% |
| 180 | Dropside damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 181 | Loading door damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 182 | Brake stationary pin worn | <0.01% |
| 183 | Hydraulic suspension accumulator fault | <0.01% |
| 184 | Speed limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 185 | Brake clevis joint worn | <0.01% |
| 186 | Brake relay lever fault | <0.01% |
| 187 | Hinged tailboard damaged or insecure | <0.01% |
| 188 | Leaf spring shackle bracket corroded | <0.01% |
| 189 | Panhard rod worn or corroded | <0.01% |
| 190 | Seat belt load limiter fault | <0.01% |
| 191 | Suspension air bellows damaged | <0.01% |
| 192 | Air suspension levelling valve fault | <0.01% |
| 193 | Cab corrosion or damage | <0.01% |
| 194 | Handbrake fails on gradient | <0.01% |
| 195 | Headlamp washer not working | <0.01% |
| 196 | Leaf spring eye worn or broken | <0.01% |
| 197 | Steering head bearings worn | <0.01% |
| 198 | Suspension coupling worn | <0.01% |
Showing all 198 reasons — scroll inside the table for the full list.
Ford Ka MOT Failures by Category
Total MOT failure occurrences for the Ford Ka, grouped by category. Same data as the failures table above — just sliced by category instead of fault title. Hover a slice for the top failures in each category.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Ford Ka problems?
Based on analysis of 6.2M Ford Ka MOT tests from DVSA data, we have 62 identified common problems across 3 generations. The most frequently flagged issue is "Suspension pins, bushes or ball joints worn". Suspension is the most common problem category.
Which Ford Ka generation has the most problems?
The Ford Ka Mk1 (1996-2008) (1996–2008) has the highest number of identified common problems (75). Click the generation card above for the full breakdown.
How is this data calculated?
We analyse anonymised DVSA MOT test records under the Open Government Licence. An issue is classified as a "Common Problem" when it occurs significantly more often on a specific model than the UK average, confirmed at 99% statistical confidence. Read the full methodology page for details.
Can I report a problem with my Ford Ka?
Yes — use the "Tell Us About Your Problem" form on this page. Your report helps other Ford Ka owners spot problems early. All submissions are reviewed before being added to the public database.
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