IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2009 Ford Ka Mk2 (B420)

The Fiat-built Ka Mk2 reached UK showrooms in 2009 sharing the Fiat 500 platform and engines. With both units under 120g/km and a four-star Euro NCAP score, it was pitched as a cheap-to-tax urban runabout.

What changed for 2009

  • •Fiat 500 platform with Fiat-built 1.2 69PS petrol and 1.3 75PS Multijet diesel engines
  • •Five-speed manual gearbox only, with a high-mounted lever and electrically assisted steering
  • •Studio, Style and Zetec trims, with air conditioning and Bluetooth reserved for higher grades
  • •Four-star Euro NCAP rating and sub-120g/km CO2 across the range

Common MOT watch-outs

  • !Corroded rear axle beam and spring seats, a known weak point on salted UK cars
  • !Front strut top mounts rusting through and knocking over speed humps
  • !Rear brake imbalance and binding from neglected drum brakes
3
Known Issues
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Serious
1
Moderate
0
Minor

All Known Issues

Rear Axle and Sill Corrosion

SeriousBodywork & Rust

Despite being newer than the Mk1, the Ka Mk2 can still rust badly around the rear axle, inner sills and wheel-arch seams, and structural repairs quickly outweigh the value of a cheap car.

Est. Repair Cost: £250–£1,200
Warning Signs:

Rusty rear axle beam, Bubbling around rear arches, Repeated MOT corrosion advisories

What to Inspect:
  • Inspect the rear axle and spring seats from underneath
  • Check inner and outer sills
  • Read the MOT history for recurring corrosion notes
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research TeamUpdated

Electric Power Steering Column Failure

SeriousSteering

The column-mounted electric steering can lose assistance intermittently or permanently, often after low-voltage events or torque-sensor wear.

Est. Repair Cost: £250–£600
Warning Signs:

Heavy steering at parking speed, EPS warning light, Assistance returns after restarting the engine

What to Inspect:
  • Drive the car from cold and hot at low speed
  • Check charging voltage and battery age
  • Look for replacement-column history
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Heater Blower Resistor and Tailgate Wiring Faults

ModerateElectrics & Electronics

Ageing blower resistors and broken wiring at the tailgate can leave the Ka with missing fan speeds, dead rear electrics or damp-related gremlins.

Est. Repair Cost: £80–£250
Warning Signs:

Heater fan only works on one speed, Boot release or rear wiper faults, Intermittent warning lights after rain

What to Inspect:
  • Cycle the fan through every setting
  • Operate the boot release and rear wiper repeatedly
  • Check the boot floor and carpet edges for moisture
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Buying Tips for 2009 Ford Ka Mk2 (B420)

  • Choose the 1.2 petrol: the 1.3 Multijet diesel has a poor record for oil consumption and emissions faults
  • Test the electric steering from cold at parking speed, looking for consistent weight and no warning lamp
  • Lift the boot floor and check for damp around the tailgate and rear light seals
20082010
Check a 2009 Ford Ka Mk2 (B420) by Registration