2016 Ford KA 1.2L Petrol · MP65 EXE

A 2016 Ford Ka with five MOT tests on record has produced a pass-heavy file but with several advisories pointing toward wearing suspension and exhaust hardware, and one mechanical failure that briefly grounded the car. The most recent examination on 7 February 2026 returned a pass alongside an advisory for a minor exhaust gas leak at the front flexible section, suggesting the downpipe or front flex joint is beginning to deteriorate. One year earlier, the vehicle passed on 4 February 2025 with an advisory noting a slightly distorted nearside front road wheel, but the day before, on 3 February 2025, it had failed on a major defect for an excessively worn offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint, alongside advisories for the same distorted wheel and thinning front brake pads. The 2024 test passed without any recorded defects, while the 2023 examination carried a note that the exhaust tailpipe clamp had rotted off though remained secure. The pattern is therefore one of broadly maintained roadworthiness punctuated by a genuine suspension failure and recurring advisories for exhaust and front-end components, indicating that front suspension and exhaust condition are the areas to monitor closely. The recorded mileage of 77,092 miles across roughly ten years equates to an annual accumulation of approximately 7,700 miles per year, broadly typical for a small city car of this age. The MOT history shows tests occurring at fairly regular annual intervals without any extended gaps that would suggest long periods off the road, and the mileage progression between tests appears consistent with steady commuter use rather than long-term storage or unusually heavy mileage accumulation. For a Ka of this vintage and mileage, this level of use is consistent with normal wear on consumables such as brake pads and discs, front suspension bushes and linkages, and exhaust mounting hardware, and there are no mileage inconsistencies or unusual jumps recorded across the five test entries. For a prospective buyer, the front suspension is the primary area demanding close physical inspection given the recorded failure of the offside front anti-roll bar linkage ball joint and the advisories relating to front brake wear. On a test drive, listen for any knocking or clonking noises from the front end particularly over speed humps, uneven surfaces, or when turning into a driveway, as worn anti-roll bar links and drop links frequently produce such symptoms. The steering should be checked for any vagueness, clunks, or uneven wear on the front tyres, as a slightly distorted wheel noted on the nearside front can also produce steering vibration or tracking issues at speed. With the front brake pads flagged as wearing thin at the last advisory, the car should be road-tested with moderate pedal pressure to feel for any judder, pulling to one side under braking, or a spongy pedal, and the condition of the front discs should be physically inspected for lipping, scoring, or corrosion. The exhaust is the other mechanical theme running through this record, with the 2023 advisory noting a rotted tailpipe clamp and the most recent test flagging a minor gas leak from the front flexible section. A buyer should carry out a cold-start visual inspection beneath the front of the car to look for any black soot staining around the front flex joint, and listen for any ticking or blowing noises from the engine bay that changes with engine speed. From behind the vehicle, check that the tailpipe is adequately supported given the earlier clamp failure, and confirm there are no signs of exhaust gases entering the cabin. Beyond these recorded concerns, the general absence of advisories for corrosion, brake pipes, or structural items is a reasonable indicator that the underside of the vehicle has not yet developed the rust problems seen on some older superminis, though a physical inspection of the subframe, inner arches, and sill jacking points remains advisable given the front flexible section is already beginning to leak.