2004 Ford KA 1.3L Petrol · LA04 ALU

The 2004 Ford Ka presents a broadly roadworthy profile as of the most recent DVSA test on 5 November 2025, some eight months before the current July 2026 evaluation date, where the tester recorded a pass at 66,621 miles with no defects. Maintenance trend across the available record stays stable, with clean passes in October 2024 at 65,058 miles and November 2023 at 63,545 miles. The only blemish is a failure logged on 2 November 2023 at 63,535 miles with no defects cited, reversed by a pass eight days later with no remedial work noted, implying a non mechanical or documentation anomaly rather than owner neglect. Mileage accumulation reflects light use for a 22 year old vehicle. The record shows 61,577 miles in November 2022, rising to 66,621 miles by November 2025, a total gain of 5,044 miles over three years, equating to roughly 1,681 miles per annum against a lifetime average near 3,028. Such low annual coverage suggests extended periods of standing, which can accelerate perishing of rubber components and surface corrosion despite minimal wear to drivetrain parts. No rapid accumulation or suspicious gaps appear between tests, with annual examinations consistently dated in autumn. A buyer should still commission a physical inspection of age sensitive items not always captured in a pass result. The Ka's front suspension bushes and rear beam axle mounts warrant close scrutiny for cracking or play, while coil springs may suffer fatigue from infrequent movement. A buyer should probe brake discs and calipers for rust binding after long idle spells, though the 2025 test raised no advisories. Structural integrity demands assessment beneath the sills and subframes, where 22 years of weather exposure can foster corrosion unseen in a clean MOT printout. Exhaust emissions and tyre sidewalls also merit a visual check for age hardening. The absent defect history implies prior owners kept basic statutory compliance, but low mileage alone does not certify long term reliability of consumables.