2009 Ford KA 1.2L Petrol · LL59 CGV

A clear pattern of recurring brake, tyre and exhaust deterioration runs through this 2009 Ford Ka's MOT history, with three failures in five tests and a high concentration of advisories concentrated on the front braking system and front and rear tyres. The most recent test on 2021-11-09 resulted in a fail, though solely on registration plate presentation, with advisories noting both front brake discs worn but not excessively and both front brake pads wearing thin, indicating the front brake components are once again approaching a service interval. Earlier failures are more significant: a dangerous fail in November 2019 for front brake pads less than 1.5 mm thick, a dangerous fail in November 2020 for a nearside front tyre with ply or cords exposed combined with a major engine management warning lamp (MIL) fault, and a further failure in November 2018 for an airbag/supplementary restraint system warning lamp fault. This sequence demonstrates that the vehicle has been presented for test with components at or beyond legal limits on multiple occasions, including two instances where dangerous defects were identified. Mileage on this 17-year-old car stands at 81,136 miles, equating to roughly 4,773 miles per year across its recorded life, which is notably low for the age and suggests either periods of light use or extended standing time between trips. The MOT record shows annual testing from 2017 through 2021 with no multi-year gaps, indicating the vehicle was on the road consistently during this period, but the relatively low annual mileage means brake discs, pads, suspension components and tyres tend to suffer from corrosion and surface degradation rather than simply wear from mileage accumulation. The repeated advisories for tyre edge wear in 2018 and brake disc wear in 2021 are consistent with a lightly used urban vehicle where components deteriorate through age, surface corrosion and standing periods rather than high-mileage friction wear. The 2020 engine MIL inoperative fault should also be considered alongside the low usage, as short journeys and infrequent running can mask emissions and engine management issues. For a prospective buyer, the front braking system warrants close physical inspection: the 2021 advisories for both front discs and pads suggest the discs may now be approaching the minimum thickness and could require replacement alongside a fresh set of pads, particularly as the same components were flagged as dangerously worn just two years prior. On a test drive, listen for any grinding or squealing under light braking, feel for vibration or judder through the brake pedal indicating disc run-out or corrosion, and check for pulling to one side which may indicate a binding caliper given the age of the front caliper slides. The November 2018 supplementary restraint system warning lamp fault is a serious past defect; verify that the airbag warning lamp extinguishes promptly on ignition and stays off, and confirm with the seller whether any remedial work was carried out, as unresolved SRS faults can cause airbags to fail to deploy or deploy unexpectedly. Tyres on a Ka of this age and mileage should be checked closely for uneven shoulder wear, sidewall cracking from age-related rubber deterioration, and any signs of bulging, particularly given the history of edge wear advisories in 2018 and a cord-exposed tyre in 2020. The exhaust system also merits attention, as a 2017 advisory noted the rear exhaust box outer skin was corroded, and on a 17-year-old vehicle exhaust back boxes, mounting rubbers and front flex sections commonly continue to degrade. Listen on the test drive for any blowing or ticking sounds from underneath the car, particularly on cold start, and check the exhaust note for any rattling which could indicate a broken internal baffle. The 2020 engine management warning lamp fault has not reappeared in the 2021 test, but given Ka engines of this era are known for throttle body and idle control issues, ensure the engine idles smoothly, returns cleanly to idle from a cold start, and that no warning lamps remain illuminated after bulb check. Finally, with the suspension and steering components being original to a low-mileage 17-year-old car, pay attention to any knocking or clonking over speed bumps and uneven road surfaces, which would indicate worn suspension bushes, drop links or anti-roll bar bush failure common on Ka models of this generation.