2011 Ford KA 1.2L Petrol · FD11 OES

A clear pattern of front-end and exhaust deterioration dominates the roadworthiness record of this 2011 Ford Ka, with the most recent test on 26 August 2025 resulting in a failure rather than the pass seen the previous year. The 2025/2026 test recorded a near-side front shock absorber with both a serious fluid leak and negligible damping effect, alongside a badly distorted near-side front wheel inner rim. Compounding these are advisories for an off-side front tyre and a near-side rear tyre, both worn close to the legal limit on the inner edge, the latter also flagged for low pressure. Inner-edge tyre wear is a strong indicator of misalignment, worn suspension geometry, or deteriorated bushes, all of which sit alongside a suspension component that has effectively lost its hydraulic function. The mileage trajectory reflects a vehicle in regular, consistent use. The 2026 test recorded 107,543 miles, having risen from earlier entries in the log, giving an annual accumulation of roughly 7,170 miles over a fifteen-year life, which is broadly typical for a small city car of this age. The testing history is reasonably continuous with annual examinations, and there is no evidence of multi-year lay-ups that would raise concerns about seized brakes, dried seals, or a discharged battery. The usage profile therefore points to a car that has been driven frequently enough for normal wear to accumulate on consumables and undercarriage components, rather than one that has suffered from prolonged inactivity. Buyer attention should focus on the front suspension, steering and wheel assemblies, as the record shows this area is the most consistent source of failure. The near-side front shock absorber fluid leak and loss of damping should prompt a close inspection of both front dampers, their top mount bearings, and the coil springs for sagging or corrosion. The previously noted play in the near-side front steering rack inner joint and the excessively worn near-side front suspension arm pin or bush from 2024 indicate that the lower wishbone, anti-roll bar drop links, and track rod ends warrant a physical check for perished or split boots, free play, and knocking under load. On the road, listen for clonking or creaking from the front over speed bumps, watch for the steering wandering or pulling to one side, and feel for excessive vibration through the wheel that could relate to the distorted rim flagged in the most recent test. The recurring inner-edge tyre wear is itself a symptom to verify, as a fresh four-wheel alignment and a check of rear axle geometry would be advisable once the suspension work is completed. The braking and exhaust systems also require scrutiny. Rear brake pipes were flagged for corrosion in both 2024 and 2025, and although no further advisories have been issued, brake line corrosion tends to progress beneath any surface grease treatment, so a thorough underfloor inspection of the entire pipe run, including unions and the load-sensing valve, is essential. Major exhaust leaks at the flexible joint and back box were recorded in 2024 and the lambda sensor reading was outside limits in 2023, with a minor exhaust leak advisory stretching back to 2022; the full exhaust system, including the catalytic converter mounting and all rubber hangers, should be checked for blowing gases, rattles on the over-run, and any hanging sections. On a test drive, listen for a hissing or ticking from beneath the car that changes with engine speed, feel for any surging or hesitation under acceleration that could indicate an exhaust restriction or a failing lambda sensor, and test the brakes firmly from around 40 mph to confirm there is no pull, judder, or sponginess that would suggest further hydraulic deterioration. Given the density of advisories and failures concentrated on the front axle and exhaust within a relatively short period, a pre-purchase inspection on a ramp is strongly recommended.