2014 Ford KA 1.2L Petrol · ML14 CME

This twelve-year-old Ford Ka presents an unblemished MOT record, with the vehicle achieving a clean pass on 20 May 2025 following a prior aborted test six days earlier that recorded no defects. Across the four completed examinations between 2022 and 2025, no advisories or failures have been logged, indicating a consistent standard of roadworthiness and an absence of any flagged deterioration in braking, suspension, lighting, exhaust emissions, or structural integrity. The straight pass trajectory over the most recent three tests demonstrates a stable mechanical condition rather than a pattern of escalating wear, which is particularly reassuring for a city-focused supermini approaching the end of its expected service life. With 67,592 miles accumulated over twelve years, the vehicle has averaged roughly 5,633 miles annually, a notably low figure that places it well below the typical usage rate for its age bracket. This modest annual accumulation suggests the car has likely spent considerable time either lightly used for short urban journeys or potentially stationary for extended intervals between activities. Such a profile typically results in reduced wear to high-mileage consumables like clutch friction material, brake friction surfaces, and internal engine components, though it can conversely accelerate degradation of components sensitive to prolonged inactivity, including rubber seals, brake caliper slide mechanisms, and exhaust system joints exposed to condensation. Given the absence of any recorded advisories, there are no specific components flagged for prioritised inspection, but the low-mileage context warrants particular attention to areas commonly affected by infrequent use. During a test drive, listen for any binding or grinding from the front brake calipers, which can seize if the vehicle has stood for long periods, and check that the handbrake holds firmly on an incline as rear drum mechanisms are prone to corrosion when rarely actuated. Inspect the exhaust system for rattles or blowing sounds indicative of perished mounting rubbers or joint failures, and verify that no oil seepage is present around the engine sump and rocker cover gasket, areas prone to hardening and subsequent leakage on underused engines. The tyres should also be examined for signs of age-related sidewall cracking or flat-spotting from prolonged standing, even if the tread depth remains compliant. Underneath the vehicle, pay close attention to the condition of the suspension bushes, anti-roll bar drop links, and coil springs, as Ford Ka chassis components are known to deteriorate from a combination of age and the salt exposure typical of British winter roads. Steering should feel direct and free from clonking over speed bumps, and the front MacPherson strut assemblies should be checked for any visible fluid weeping from the damper bodies. On the road, the 1.2-litre petrol engine should start readily from cold without excessive cranking, idle smoothly, and pull cleanly through the gears without hesitation, hesitation often being indicative of neglected fuel system maintenance on a low-use vehicle. A final inspection of the underbody and structural areas for any emerging corrosion around the wheel arches, sills, and rear axle mounting points will confirm that this clean MOT record reflects genuine mechanical integrity rather than simply a car that has not been examined closely enough.