2013 Ford KA 1.2L Petrol · YT13 ABU

The 1.2-litre petrol Ka typically returns around 45-50 mpg in mixed driving, keeping fuel costs modest; based on 4,200 annual miles and current petrol prices, expect roughly £850-£1,050 in fuel per year. Road tax on a 1242cc petrol of this registration date is £190 per year (the £165 VED band plus the £25 supplement that applied to cars registered between 2001 and March 2013 with a list price over £40,000 — confirm whether this specific Ka qualifies, though most KAs do not). Insurance sits in a low group, typically group 4-5, so premiums are usually £350-£500 annually for an experienced driver.

Routine maintenance is generally cheap thanks to widely available parts, but budget for ageing consumables: brake discs and pads around £180-£250 per axle, a set of tyres £150-£220, and a cambelt check (the 1.2 Duratec uses a timing chain, so no cambelt replacement cost, but the auxiliary belt should be inspected). Adding tax, insurance, fuel, and a £200-£300 allowance for wear-and-tear servicing gives an estimated annual running cost in the £1,700-£2,100 range.

Start with the items flagged in the MOT history. The August 2023 failure recorded a scored front brake disc — jack the car up and run a finger along the disc surface to feel for a lip; anything more than a light ridge suggests the disc still needs replacing at around £80-£120 per disc plus fitting. Both 2024 and 2025 MOTs noted offside rear tyre perishing, so inspect the inner and outer sidewalls of all four tyres for cracking, particularly the offside rear, and replace any tyre where cracks reach the tread area.

Beyond the MOT record, look for the usual Ford Ka weak points: corrosion around the wheel arches, sills, and rear panel (corrosion is the second most common MOT failure for this model across 207,443 examples analysed). Check that the cooling system is healthy — the 1.2 Duratec can suffer water pump weep on higher-mileage cars, so look for green staining around the pump and check the coolant level for a creamy residue. Finally, test the washers, all electrics (the Ka's wiring can suffer from connector corrosion), and verify the clutch bite point is high — clutch wear is the most common reason these cars are scrapped.