2017 Ford KA 1.2L Petrol · AV67 LKA

The 2017 Ford Ka presents an exemplary DVSA MOT history, with five consecutive annual test passes recorded from October 2021 through October 2025, the most recent of which was achieved without any defects or advisories being recorded. This entirely clean test record indicates that the vehicle has consistently met the minimum statutory roadworthiness standards over the observed period, with no trends whatsoever towards deterioration in the tested items such as lighting, brakes, tyres, suspension, or exhaust emissions. The stable, unblemished history strongly suggests that the previous keeper has prioritised timely maintenance and addressed any wear items before presenting the vehicle for examination. For a prospective buyer, this represents a highly reassuring baseline, although it is important to remember that the MOT test is a snapshot of safety-critical items at the time of test and does not cover broader mechanical condition, service history authenticity, or non-tested components such as the clutch, gearbox, or engine internals. With 36,310 miles recorded on this nine-year-old vehicle, the annual mileage equates to roughly 4,034 miles per year, which is considerably below the national average for a city car of this vintage and indicates either predominantly light, local use or extended periods of inactivity. Such low annual mileage tends to be kinder to wear-dependent consumables such as brake pads, clutch friction material, and drivetrain components, as these items degrade primarily through use cycles rather than mere age. However, low-mileage or intermittently used vehicles frequently exhibit issues associated with standing and calendar-based degradation, which can offset the benefits of low mechanical wear. It is therefore essential to verify the authenticity and continuity of the recorded mileage, ensuring there are no inexplicable gaps or rapid accumulations that might suggest clock discrepancies or missed annual tests due to off-road status. Given the clean MOT record and the low mileage profile, your pre-purchase inspection should focus heavily on age-related rather than wear-related deterioration. Tyres warrant particular attention, as the sidewalls will have undergone nine winters of ozone exposure and UV degradation; inspect the sidewalls carefully for visible perishing, cracking, or brittleness, even if the tread depth appears adequate, as perished sidewalls are grounds for immediate rejection on the MOT test. Similarly, examine the brake discs closely for corrosion around the outer edges and inner friction surfaces, a common issue on lightly used cars where the brakes are infrequently applied with sufficient force to scour away surface rust, potentially leading to binding calipers, juddering under braking, or uneven pad wear. Lift the bonnet and check the 12V battery for any signs of white sulphation around the terminals, corrosion on the hold-down bracket, or physical swelling of the casing, as batteries over six years old frequently struggle to hold sufficient charge, particularly after periods of standing. Further inspection should verify that time-based servicing has been carried out irrespective of the low odometer reading. Engine oil and filter, brake fluid, coolant, and gearbox lubricant all degrade through oxidation and moisture absorption over calendar years, and a vehicle covering only four thousand miles annually will require fluid changes on a time basis rather than purely mileage intervals. Check the service book or digital service records for evidence of annual or biennial fluid changes, and confirm the cambelt or timing chain replacement schedule has been adhered to, consulting Ford's recommended intervals for the 1.2 Duratec engine. On the test drive, listen for any suspension clonks or knocks over speed humps and uneven road surfaces, which could indicate perished suspension bushes or weakened coil springs from prolonged standing, and feel for any brake shudder, pulling to one side, or excessive pedal travel that might suggest seized caliper slides or a weakened brake servo. Finally, verify that all interior and exterior functions operate correctly, including the heating and ventilation system, air conditioning performance, and central locking, as electrical faults and seized mechanisms are common on low-use city cars and would not necessarily have been recorded under MOT inspection.