2012 Ford KA 1.2L Petrol · LD12 TYY

A pattern of intermittent but significant mechanical failures defines this Ford Ka's roadworthiness history, with components such as steering, tyres, and front braking having triggered major defects on two separate occasions. The most recent test on 22 January 2026 produced a clean pass with no advisories, which is reassuring, but it came only one day after a failed attempt on 21 January 2026 that flagged the front brake discs and pads in severely worn condition. A four-year gap separates this 2026 activity from the previous 2022 tests, where an initial failure on 11 January cited ineffective wiper operation, a missing offside front steering rack gaiter, and a deep-tyre cut, before a clean pass was secured on 18 January. While the vehicle has ultimately passed each annual cycle, the recurrence of major defects on first attempts suggests the maintenance regime between tests has at times been reactive rather than proactive, and a prospective buyer should not assume the clean 2026 pass guarantees long-term component health. Mileage data is not available within the MOT record, which limits any precise assessment of annual usage rates against the vehicle's fourteen-year age. What is clear, however, is that the car was presented for testing across two distinctly separated periods, with a four-year interval between the January 2022 cycle and the January 2026 cycle. This pattern could indicate either consistent but lightly-documented use over that period or periods during which the vehicle was not actively driven or was exempt from testing. Without odometer readings, it is difficult to confirm whether the car has accumulated the sort of mileage typical of a 2012 Ka or whether wear patterns are consistent with low annual mileage. A buyer should therefore verify the current odometer reading directly against any service history and look for evidence of regular mechanical upkeep during the untested years. Given the specific components flagged, particular attention should be paid to the front braking system during any inspection. The January 2026 failure recorded the front brake discs as significantly and obviously worn and the front pads worn down to the wear indicator, meaning the braking hardware had reached the end of its service life at that point. Although a clean pass followed immediately, only around seven months of road use has elapsed since, and on a test drive a buyer should listen for any grinding, squealing, or pulsation through the brake pedal under firm application, and watch for any pull to one side that might suggest uneven disc wear or a binding caliper. The front discs and pads should be physically inspected for ridge formation at the disc edge and minimum pad material remaining, as a vehicle used predominantly for short urban trips is prone to uneven pad wear. The steering and front suspension items flagged in 2022 also warrant direct physical examination. The offside front steering rack gaiter was recorded as missing, allowing potential ingress of dirt and moisture into the rack assembly, and although the subsequent pass implies rectification, gaiters can perish or detach again over time. On a test drive, any knocking, clunking, or vagueness through the steering when traversing bumps or turning sharply could indicate degraded rack internals or worn track rod ends. The deep tyre cut recorded on the offside front in 2022 raises the question of whether the wheels have sustained further kerb damage since, and all four tyres should be examined for sidewall bulges, uneven shoulder wear, or visible cuts. Finally, although no advisories concerning corrosion have been recorded, a fourteen-year-old Ka of this vintage can develop rust at structural attachment points, so a thorough underside inspection or a lift on a ramp is strongly advisable before purchase.