2009 Ford KA 1.2L Petrol · AV59 LEJ

A clear pattern of front suspension wear and brake-related defects dominates the MOT history of this 2009 Ford Ka, making the front axle the primary mechanical concern for any prospective buyer. Across the recorded tests, offside front suspension arm ball joint wear has appeared repeatedly, culminating in an excessively worn classification at the December 2022 failure, while the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint was deemed excessively worn at the December 2023 test that the vehicle initially failed before passing the following day. Brake-related defects have been equally concerning, with dangerously worn offside front brake pads and a parking brake system that fell below 50 percent efficiency at the same December 2023 test, alongside excessive parking brake lever movement recorded in October 2022. The most recent test on 20 December 2023 returned a clean pass with no advisories, but this single clear result sits against two failures and several advisories in the preceding three years, indicating the underlying issues were rectified late and that wear in these areas could resurface. Mileage accumulation is notably low for a vehicle of this age, with 87,314 miles recorded over approximately 17 years, equating to around 5,100 miles per year. The testing pattern shows substantial gaps, with no MOT entries between September 2020 and October 2021, and another long interval between October 2021 and October 2022, which is consistent with either periods off the road or simply sparse annual usage. Low annual mileage of this nature reduces wear on high-mileage components such as the engine, clutch and drivetrain internals, but it does not insulate the vehicle from the corrosion and rubber degradation that affect suspension bushes, ball joints, brake pipes and flexible hoses when a car sees infrequent use. The recorded mileage itself is internally consistent across the tests shown, with no sudden jumps or discrepancies that would suggest clock tampering or misreading. For a physical inspection, particular attention should be paid to the front suspension assembly, as the recorded defects specifically identify the offside front suspension arm ball joint, the nearside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, and the nearside front suspension arm ball joint dust cover. On a test drive, listen for clonking or knocking noises from the front end over bumps and during full-lock steering manoeuvres, and feel for any vagueness or looseness in the steering. The front brake system warrants close scrutiny as well, given the dangerous offside front pad defect and the parking brake inefficiency recorded at the most recent failure; check for binding or dragging on either side after a short drive by feeling the wheels for excessive heat, and verify that the parking brake holds firmly on a slope with a firm ratchet click count rather than excessive travel. Other advisories point to additional areas worth examining. The exhaust has been flagged with minor leaks at the front pipe and front and rear joints across multiple tests, so listen for ticking or hissing from the engine bay and underbody at idle. Rear shock absorbers and upper shock absorber bushes have shown oil misting and wear, so bouncing each rear corner after pressing down should produce no more than one or two oscillations before settling. Offside front shock absorber oil misting was noted in 2021, and rear suspension components were recorded as corroded, meaning the underside should be inspected for surface rust on springs, subframe mounting points and brake pipes. Finally, check the windscreen wipers for effective clearing on both sides, confirm the registration plate lamps illuminate, and inspect the offside mirror for damage as these minor items have appeared in recent tests.