2009 FORD KA1.2L PETROL

The most recent MOT, dated 8 August 2025, was passed but recorded two items of note: the off‑side rear shock absorber shows a light misting of oil and there is under‑body corrosion. The previous year’s MOT (12 August 2024) also passed, but highlighted slight play in both front anti‑roll‑bar linkage ball joints and a light oil mist on the off‑side front shock absorber. These findings point to a developing suspension‑related pattern. Oil‑seeping shocks are a sign of ageing damper seals; while not an immediate safety failure, they can lead to reduced damping performance and eventually to shock failure. The ball‑joint play on the front anti‑roll‑bar links suggests wear in the suspension bushings or joints, which can affect steering feel and handling if the play worsens. The trend is therefore not improving – new defects have appeared after three years of clean MOTs (2021‑2023). However, the issues are confined to wear items rather than critical safety failures such as brakes or steering rack problems. If the vehicle has been maintained regularly, the faults may be manageable, but they do indicate that the suspension components are entering a higher‑wear phase. Mileage of 198,543 mi on a 2009 model works out to about 11,700 mi per year, which is within the normal range for a car of this age. It does not, on its own, signal excessive hard use, but the accumulated distance does mean that wear‑items such as shocks, bushings and anti‑roll‑bar links are expected to be nearing the end of their service life.