2013 Ford KA 1.2L Petrol · ML63 EKB

A pattern of advisories targeting the front suspension and braking components, combined with two recent Major defects, defines the roadworthiness profile of this 2013 Ford Ka. The vehicle passed its most recent test on 25 September 2025 with no defects recorded, which follows a clean pass on 2 October 2024, but the picture is more uneven than those bare pass entries suggest. On the same day as the 2025 pass, a separate submission failed on a nearside rear direction indicator showing incorrect colour, and the previous year's test saw a fail for a serious fluid leak from the offside rear shock absorber. Beneath these pass markers, advisories have accumulated steadily: brake disc wear in 2020, front tyre perishing on both sides in 2021, a damaged nearside brake cable and worn front suspension arm pins or bushes on both sides in 2022, and a defective central exhaust mounting in 2023. The latest pass is reassuring, but the recurrence of front-end component wear across four consecutive tests indicates ongoing attention is warranted to the suspension and braking assemblies. With 39,338 miles recorded over roughly 13 years, this Ka has covered around 3,026 miles annually, which is markedly low for the age and model. Annual testing has been carried out every October without gaps, so the mileage readings appear consistent with low regular use rather than long periods off the road. Mechanically, this level of light use typically means the engine, clutch and major drivetrain components have seen limited wear, but it also raises the prospect of standing-related deterioration. Rubber components such as tyres, brake hoses, suspension bushes and drive belts can perish or harden when a vehicle is used only sparingly, and the front tyre cracking flagged in 2021 alongside the persistent suspension bush advisories is consistent with age-related rubber degradation rather than high-mileage wear. The brake disc pitting recorded in 2020 is also more characteristic of a vehicle that sees short, low-speed journeys, as corrosion does not get burned off the disc surface under gentle use. For a prospective buyer, the suspension and braking components flagged in the MOT history should be the priority areas for physical inspection and test drive evaluation. The 2022 advisories noted wear to the pin or bush on both front suspension arms; on the road, this can manifest as a knocking or clonking noise from the front end over speed humps and rougher tarmac, vague or imprecise steering, or uneven tyre wear across the front axle. Given the 2024 failure for a leaking rear shock absorber, the rear dampers should be checked for any residual seepage or rust staining around the shaft, and the vehicle should be pushed laterally at each corner to detect worn rear bushes. The 2022 advisory regarding a damaged nearside brake cable warrants a close look at the handbrake mechanism, as a partially compromised inner can cause the lever to travel further than normal or fail to hold the vehicle securely on an incline. The braking system warrants particular scrutiny given the 2020 advisory concerning a worn, pitted or scored offside front inner brake disc and the subsequent front tyre perishing advisories on both sides in 2021. On a test drive, the buyer should listen for any grinding, squealing or pulsation through the brake pedal under firm application, as the previously noted disc wear may have progressed, and the steering should be checked for any pulling to one side under braking which could indicate a binding caliper. The defective central exhaust mounting noted in 2023 should be inspected by physically rocking the system to confirm it is still securely supported, and the nearside rear light cluster should be examined to ensure the direction indicator lens is the correct amber colour, as the 2025 failure for incorrect indicator colour suggests a previous replacement unit may have been fitted incorrectly. With the brake cable, suspension arms and shock absorbers all featuring in the advisory history, a pre-purchase inspection on a ramp would be a sensible precaution before committing to this otherwise low-mileage Ka.