2013 Ford KA 1.2L Petrol · AP13 AAN

A clear pattern of rear suspension corrosion and front suspension bush wear defines the recent MOT history of this 2013 Ford Ka, with the rear coil springs having been flagged for corrosion at every test for the past three years and the rear axle noted as corroded alongside a failed retest in May 2025. That 2025 retest recorded Major defects for both nearside and offside front inner suspension arm pins or bushes being excessively worn, resulting in a failure which was then cleared at a same-day or next-day retest, but the underlying wear remains a mechanical concern. The two most recent tests in May 2025 and May 2026 both passed with no advisories or defects recorded, suggesting either that remedial work was carried out to address the front suspension components or that the wear has not yet progressed back to a fail level, but the recurrence of rear coil spring advisories from 2023 and 2024 indicates progressive structural deterioration that warrants close physical inspection rather than relying on the clean recent pass alone. The recorded mileage of 60,684 miles across approximately 13 years equates to an average annual accumulation of around 4,668 miles, which is notably low for a vehicle of this age. There are no significant gaps between consecutive MOT tests, with the vehicle having been presented annually throughout the recorded period, indicating reasonably consistent use rather than extended lay-ups. Low annual mileage of this nature generally results in less wear on high-cycle components such as the clutch, brake friction material, and engine internals, but it can also allow corrosion to advance unchecked on undersealed areas, spring seats, and exposed suspension components, particularly if the vehicle has spent time parked outdoors or has been used predominantly for short journeys where the drivetrain and brakes do not fully reach operating temperature. The recurring rear coil spring advisories against this low-mileage backdrop are consistent with age-related corrosion rather than high-stress wear. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection areas are the front inner suspension arm pins and bushes that caused the 2025 failure, as these components should be examined for any renewed play, cracking, or perishing of the rubber. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over speed humps and uneven surfaces, and feel for any vagueness or imprecise response through the steering wheel that could indicate worn inner bushes. The rear axle corrosion advisory and the repeated rear coil spring corrosion flags mean the underside of the vehicle must be examined on a ramp or over a pit, paying particular attention to the lower coils of both rear springs for any flaking, pitting, or loss of material thickness, as well as the rear axle casing and mounting points for surface rust that may have advanced since the 2025 advisory was issued. Given that the 2024 test also flagged a defective rear wiper blade, it is worth confirming that the wiper mechanism functions correctly and that the rear screen wash is operational. Finally, while the recent clean pass is encouraging, the buyer should be aware that MOT advisories do not require repair, so the flagged corrosion may have continued to develop silently over the past year. A thorough underbody inspection by a competent technician is strongly recommended, ideally accompanied by a borescope check of the rear spring coils if access is limited. The brake system, steering rack, and exhaust mounting points should also be visually inspected for corrosion given the vehicle's age, even though none of these items have yet been flagged. If the front suspension bushes were renewed in conjunction with the 2025 retest, receipts or service documentation should be obtained to confirm the quality of the replacement parts and torque settings used, as inferior pattern parts can wear rapidly on a small vehicle of this type.