2013 Ford KA 1.2L Petrol · GV62 GAA

The most recent DVSA MOT test for this 2013 Ford Ka was conducted on 13 January 2026, during which the vehicle passed with no defects or advisories recorded. This represents a continuation of a fully clean test history stretching back to November 2021, with five consecutive passes and zero advisory notices, failure items, or category defects across the available record. Such an unbroken run of clean examinations suggests that the vehicle has been reasonably well maintained, or at minimum has not been presented for testing with any component at or near the legal minimum threshold. However, it is worth noting that a clean MOT record does not constitute a mechanical guarantee, as the test is a safety and emissions snapshot rather than a comprehensive condition report, and minor advisories can sometimes be resolved privately prior to test rather than recorded. In terms of usage, the vehicle has accumulated 95,896 miles over approximately 13 years, equating to an annual average of around 7,377 miles per year, which is broadly typical for a small city car of this age and somewhat characteristic of a second household vehicle or one used predominantly for short urban journeys. The recorded MOT dates indicate fairly regular annual testing with no obvious extended gaps in compliance, suggesting the car has remained in active use rather than being laid up for long periods. That said, the relatively modest annual mileage means the Ka has likely seen a high proportion of short, low-speed trips, which can place particular stress on components that suffer from underuse, including oil dilution from cold starts, brake disc corrosion due to infrequent heavy braking, and premature ageing of rubber and electrical components. Given the absence of recorded advisories or recurring defects across five consecutive tests, there is no specific historical failure point to investigate further, and attention should instead turn to age and usage-related deterioration that may not yet have flagged on an MOT. Prospective buyers should carefully inspect the tyres for sidewall perishing or cracking, which is common on vehicles over five years old regardless of tread depth, and should verify that the manufacturing date code shows rubber no older than roughly five to six years. The 12V battery, which on a 2013 car is well beyond its typical four to five year service life, should be tested for cranking strength, particularly as low annual mileage allows batteries to sulphate from prolonged partial state of charge. Brake discs should be examined for any lip corrosion or surface pitting that might produce shudder or noise under braking, and the caliper slide pins and handbrake mechanism should be checked for seizing, a common issue on cars used predominantly for short trips where the brakes are rarely fully applied. Additional checks appropriate to this vehicle's profile include a thorough inspection of all fluid conditions on a time-since-last-service basis rather than relying solely on the recorded mileage, with particular attention to brake fluid hygroscopic degradation, which typically requires renewal every two to three years irrespective of use, and coolant condition to prevent internal corrosion within the cooling system. The underbody and structural areas, including suspension mounting points, subframes, and brake and fuel lines, should be examined for surface corrosion or fluid staining, as a 13 year old car in the UK will inevitably have accumulated some degree of oxidation. On a test drive, listen for any clonks or knocks from the front suspension over uneven surfaces, which would indicate worn anti-roll bar bushes, drop links, or top mounts, all of which are common consumables on Ka models of this generation. Finally, verify that the service book contains consistent stamps at appropriate intervals and consider an independent pre-purchase inspection and compression test for the 1.2 litre Duratec engine, as low annual mileage combined with short journeys can mask internal wear or oil consumption issues that only become apparent under load.