2004 Ford KA 1.3L Petrol · HT04 ENU

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT test on 8 April 2026, though three items were noted during the inspection which warrant careful attention from a prospective buyer. An advisory was recorded for light oil misting on the offside rear shock absorber, indicating the early stages of seal degradation; a minor defect was logged for an inoperative offside registration plate lamp within the multiple lamp assembly; and a second minor defect was raised for a defective windscreen wiper blade across all wiper positions. The broader MOT history for the past five consecutive tests shows a clear pattern of consistent passes with no recorded defects at all from 2022 through 2025, meaning the 2026 advisories represent the first mechanical concerns appearing on the record. This trend suggests that the vehicle has generally been well maintained but is now beginning to show age-related issues typical of a car entering its third decade of service, and a buyer should treat the 2026 advisories as an early warning that several consumable and wear items are approaching end-of-life. The recorded mileage of 24,863 miles across approximately 22 years equates to an annual average of just 1,130 miles, which is exceptionally low and strongly suggests the vehicle has either spent prolonged periods stored or has only been used for very short journeys. Such low usage has significant mechanical implications, as engines, gearboxes, and braking systems suffer more from standing idle than from regular use. Short journeys prevent the engine from reaching full operating temperature, leading to accumulation of moisture and acidic combustion by-products in the oil, while brake discs and calipers can corrode and seize from lack of use. Equally, rubber components, seals, and gaskets deteriorate through calendar age rather than mileage, meaning the very low odometer reading can be misleading and may mask substantial age-related degradation. Given the vehicle's age and low mileage, a prospective buyer should carry out a thorough physical inspection regardless of the MOT outcome, paying particular attention to the tyres which were flagged as slightly damaged and showing perishing, with all four units dating back to the original 2004 manufacture and therefore well beyond the recommended replacement window. Tyres of this age should be renewed irrespective of remaining tread depth, as the rubber compound hardens and loses grip over time, increasing the risk of cracking and sudden failure. The buyer should also examine the offside rear shock absorber for any worsening oil seepage, test for suspension clonks or excessive bounce over uneven road surfaces, and listen for any knocking from the rear suspension bushes which commonly perish on vehicles of this age. Additionally, the 12V battery is highly likely to be original or significantly aged and should be load-tested before purchase, as a failed battery is one of the most common causes of non-start issues in low-mileage classics. Further inspection should focus on areas affected by prolonged standing rather than wear. Brake discs should be checked for severe surface corrosion, which can cause shudder and reduced braking efficiency on the first applications, and the caliper slide pins should be confirmed as free-moving rather than seized, a common fault on stored vehicles. All fluid systems should be evaluated on a time-since-last-service basis rather than mileage, with particular attention to the coolant, brake fluid, and engine oil, all of which degrade through age and should ideally have been renewed every two to three years regardless of odometer reading. The exhaust system should be inspected for internal corrosion and potential failure at the silencer or pipe joints, while the underbody and structural mounting points should be examined for any signs of corrosion given the vehicle's twenty-two year service life. Finally, during the test drive the buyer should verify that the engine reaches and maintains proper operating temperature, that the gearbox selects cleanly without excessive noise, and that there are no fluid leaks beneath the vehicle after the engine has been running, as these are common trouble points for a low-mileage car of this vintage.