2015 Ford KA Studio 1.2L Petrol · DL15 HPU

The MOT history for this 2015 Ford Ka Studio is sparse but largely positive across the three recorded tests, with the most recent examination on 13 June 2025 returning a pass and no advisories or defects noted. A single failure was logged on 12 February 2023, although no defect categories were recorded against that entry, meaning the examiner either did not document the specific reasons on the system or the failure reason data was not captured in the record you are viewing. The vehicle then returned just eleven days later on 23 February 2023 and passed cleanly with no advisories, suggesting whatever caused the earlier failure was addressed promptly. With five years between the 2020 test window and the 2023 entry, there is a notable gap in recorded MOT data that limits visibility into the vehicle's condition during the middle of its life, but what is on file shows a stabilising, clean roadworthiness trend over the last two and a half years. With 114,088 miles accumulated over eleven years, this Ka is averaging roughly 10,400 miles per year, which sits in line with typical usage for a small city-focused hatchback of its age. The gap between the 2023 and 2025 tests, combined with the jump from the failure in February 2023 to the clean pass later that same month, indicates the car has been in regular use throughout the period covered by the records rather than left laid up. Mechanically, this kind of consistent annual mileage is generally kinder to a vehicle than very low figures, as regular running keeps seals lubricated, prevents brake disc corrosion from prolonged standing, and maintains battery health. However, eleven years and six-figure mileage does mean that wear items such as suspension bushes, coil springs, brake discs and pads, exhaust mounts, and ageing rubber components will be approaching or have already passed their expected service life, even if no specific items were flagged on the most recent test. Because the MOT record contains no advisories to reference, buyer guidance must focus on the components most likely to be approaching wear thresholds on an eleven-year-old Ka with this mileage. On a test drive, pay particular attention to the front suspension, listening for clonks or knocking from the bottom arms, anti-roll bar drop links, and strut top mounts over uneven roads, as these are common wear points on the Ka platform. Check for uneven tyre wear, particularly on the inner edges, which can indicate worn suspension bushes or tracking issues. The steering should feel tight without excess play at the centre position, and any vagueness or knocking through the steering wheel on rough surfaces warrants investigation of the front strut assemblies and wishbone bushes. Brake feel is another area worth scrutinising, given the vehicle's age and mileage. On a firm pedal application, there should be no excessive travel, sponginess, or judder through the pedal, all of which could indicate worn front discs or a binding caliper. Listen for any grinding or scraping noise from the front wheels during light braking, which often points to worn pads sitting on minimum thickness or corroded disc surfaces. The exhaust system should be inspected underneath for rust at the mounting points, particularly the rubber hangers and the front flexible joint, both known corrosion zones on older Ka models. Finally, check for any signs of oil misting around the engine and look at the underside of the engine bay for fresh drips, as higher-mileage KAs can develop minor oil leaks from the cam cover and sump gasket areas. A clean bill of health on the test does not eliminate these age-related wear concerns, so a physical inspection and ideally a pre-purchase mechanical check remain strongly advisable.