2013 Ford KA 1.2L Petrol · AV13 MVG

Across eight recorded DVSA tests spanning from December 2018 through January 2026, this 2013 Ford Ka has compiled a fundamentally clean roadworthiness record, with no failures, refusals, or recorded defects on any of the seven pass certificates issued over that period. The single point of mechanical note within the entire history is a pair of advisories logged at the March 2024 test, where both the nearside and offside front suspension arm pins or bushes were recorded as worn though not yet exceeding the pass threshold for excessive movement. Aside from that single instance, the vehicle has presented no advisories on its braking system, steering components, exhaust, tyres, lights, or structure across six consecutive years of testing. The most recent examination on 20 January 2026 returned a clean pass with no advisories, indicating that whatever wear prompted the 2024 flagging has either not progressed to a retest-failing level or has been addressed in the intervening period. At 80,462 recorded miles over roughly thirteen years, this Ka averages approximately 6,189 miles per annum, which sits broadly in line with typical accumulation for a small city-oriented petrol of this generation. The testing record itself shows a notably consistent annual cadence from 2020 through 2026, each test falling in mid-March, which suggests regular use rather than extended periods off the road. The single gap in the recorded sequence falls between the December 2018 test and the March 2020 test, a fourteen-month interval that is within normal bounds given the pre-2020 exemption from MOT for vehicles under forty years old and the test anniversary date. There is no evidence of mileage plateaus, dramatic jumps, or odometer inconsistencies within the recorded history. Mechanically, this kind of moderate, steady usage on a light supermini tends to produce even wear on consumables rather than the corrosion and seized-component risks associated with long lay-ups, though it is consistent with normal replacement intervals for suspension, exhaust, and braking components approaching the latter stages of their service life. For a prospective buyer, the priority inspection focus should be the front suspension components specifically flagged in 2024. On a test drive, listen for any knocking or clonking from the front end, particularly over speed humps, pothole impacts, or uneven road surfaces, as this typically indicates worn anti-roll bar drop links or lower wishbone bushes that have progressed beyond the advisory threshold. With the vehicle stationary, have an assistant rock the front wheels laterally while you observe for movement at the suspension arms, or alternatively place your hands on each front corner of the body and push sharply downwards and release — a car with worn bushes will often produce a secondary bounce or shudder beyond the primary spring oscillation. Steering vagueness, particularly any wandering sensation at motorway speeds or delay in response to initial lock input, can also be a symptom of worn front suspension bushes allowing geometry to shift under load. Beyond the flagged suspension items, it is worth carrying out standard checks appropriate to any thirteen-year-old supermini. Inspect the inner and outer sills, wheel arches, and the rear axle beam area for any bubbling paint or surface corrosion, as the Ka of this era is known to develop rust in these locations, although none has been recorded at test. On the test route, assess the braking system for any pulling to one side under firm pedal application, which would suggest a binding caliper, and listen for any scraping or grinding from the discs that would indicate worn pads or scored discs. Check for any signs of oil misting around the engine cam cover and from the rocker cover gasket, as well as any bluish smoke from the exhaust on startup which would indicate valve stem oil seal wear, and verify that the cooling fan cuts in promptly as these engines can suffer from water pump and thermostat issues with age. Finally, confirm that all warning lamps extinguish after engine start, that the clutch bite point is firm and consistent, and that the gear selection is clean across all forward ratios, as clutch wear on a Ka at this mileage is not unusual.