2013 Ford KA 1.2L Petrol · EN62 XGY

A recurring nearside front suspension arm ball joint slight play is the defining feature of this Ford Ka's MOT history, first recorded at the October 2024 test and repeated at the most recent pass on 13 October 2026. Every test from April 2019 through October 2026 has resulted in a pass with no dangerous or major failures, but the record is not free of defects; the ball joint advisory has persisted across two tests, accompanied by intermittent front tyre wear and perishing notices in 2020, 2023 and 2024 and a deteriorated rear registration plate in 2024. The overall trend is stable rather than improving or worsening, with the same suspension wear item carried forward as an advisory rather than escalating to a failure. Recorded mileage stands at 43,148 miles for a vehicle from 2013, an average of roughly 3,319 miles per year. This is a low accumulation rate, and there is a notable testing gap between April 2019 and October 2020 before annual testing resumed. Mechanically, the low mileage suggests limited wear on high-mileage components such as engine internals and transmission, yet the tyre perishing and cracking advisories indicate that age-related deterioration has occurred despite limited use. The suspension ball joint play likewise points to wear or deterioration of steering and suspension linkages rather than simple mileage exhaustion. On a test drive, listen specifically for knocks, rattles or clonks from the nearside front suspension when travelling over bumps, uneven road surfaces or speed humps, as these are the characteristic symptoms of wear in a suspension arm ball joint. Feel for any vagueness or pull in the steering, particularly under braking or when changing direction, and check the front tyres for cracking, perishing or excessive wear on the edges, repeating the issues flagged in 2020, 2023 and 2024. The rear registration plate deterioration noted in 2024 is a minor readability item that should be replaced if it has worsened. A prospective buyer should treat the repeated ball joint advisory as a known wear item requiring inspection and likely renewal rather than a reason to reject the vehicle outright, given that no MOT failure has ever been recorded. Verify that the nearside front suspension arm and ball joint have been examined since the October 2026 advisory, confirm the front tyres are within legal limits and free of sidewall cracking, and ensure the registration plate is legible and secure. The MOT history shows a car that has remained testable throughout its life, but the persistent suspension advisory means the buyer should budget for front suspension work and conduct a thorough test-drive assessment of steering and ride quality.