2017 Ford KA 1.2L Petrol · MM67 HOJ

A consistent theme across the MOT history of this 2017 Ford Ka is the gradual emergence of age-related advisories rather than outright failures, with each successive test from 2022 to 2026 producing a clean pass alongside increasingly telling wear notes. The most recent examination on 22 January 2026 recorded no defects, continuing a run of passes stretching back to the earliest entry, yet the underlying advisory trail points to front-end deterioration that has progressed steadily. Coil spring corrosion flagged on both sides in January 2025 represents a notable escalation from the prior year's brake disc advisory, and while neither item caused a failure at the time, the trajectory suggests the front suspension and braking hardware are entering a phase where closer scrutiny will be required. With 12,507 miles spread across approximately nine years, this Ka averages around 1,390 miles annually, a figure well below typical usage for a small city car and indicative of either very light commuting or extended periods of inactivity. Such low accumulation means mechanical wear on the engine, clutch and drivetrain is minimal, but the MOT pattern hints that the vehicle has not necessarily been stored in ideal conditions, as corrosion has still taken hold on exposed suspension components. The consistency of the yearly testing cycle, with no gaps exceeding roughly twelve months, suggests the car has remained in regular use rather than being laid up for prolonged stretches, though buyers should bear in mind that infrequent driving allows surface corrosion to develop on brake discs and underbody hardware despite low overall mileage. For a prospective purchaser, the coil spring advisories are the priority area for physical inspection, as corroded springs can fracture over time and produce an audible clonking or rattling over uneven road surfaces, particularly at low speeds. The nearside front brake disc advisory from 2024, describing wear and pitting without serious weakening, should be checked for judder under braking or vibration through the steering wheel, and the disc's thickness and lip should be measured to confirm it remains within service limits. Given that the 2023 test noted an illuminated Tyre Pressure Monitoring System warning, the system should be verified as functioning correctly, as persistent faults often trace to a failed sensor rather than simple pressure loss, and replacement involves registering a new unit to the vehicle. A thorough test drive should pay particular attention to the behaviour of the front suspension, listening for any knocking from the spring seats or top mounts and feeling for inconsistent damping over speed humps and potholes. Steering should remain precise without wandering or clonking through full lock, while braking should feel firm and progressive without pulling to one side, which would suggest a binding caliper given the known disc wear. Finally, an underbody examination or a ramp inspection is strongly advised to assess the extent of any corrosion spreading beyond the springs, particularly around the front subframe, brake pipes and suspension arms, as the pattern of advisories suggests this Ka is transitioning from a clean, low-mileage example into one where age-related preservation will become the dominant factor in its long-term roadworthiness.