2008 Ford KA 1.2L Petrol · RF58 DVG

The most recent DVSA test on 13 January 2026 resulted in a pass, although a minor defect was recorded for the offside front outer drive shaft CV boot being severely deteriorated, an issue that has now been flagged on three consecutive tests since February 2023. Reviewing the broader history, the vehicle has now passed three straight annual tests, but the density of advisories and minors has not been consistent, and the 2023 test actually followed a fail for dangerously worn front brake pads and a major defect on the offside front Macpherson strut top mount, both of which were clearly rectified before the subsequent re-test. The maintenance trend therefore appears patchy rather than steadily improving, with repeat advisories on coil spring corrosion, exhaust gas leaks, and edge-worn tyres suggesting that the car may have been brought to test in borderline condition on more than one occasion rather than receiving proactive attention between visits. With 93,543 miles recorded on an 18-year-old vehicle, the annual mileage is approximately 5,197 miles, which is notably low for a car of this vintage. The MOT record itself shows roughly two to three year gaps between tests in the earlier portion of the file, with no recorded mileage at all between 2019 and 2022 and again between 2023 and 2025, which is consistent with long periods of standing or very limited seasonal use. Low mileage of this kind is generally favourable for major drivetrain components such as the engine, clutch and gearbox, but it can also be detrimental where standing has allowed corrosion to take hold on suspension, exhaust and brake components, and where age-related deterioration of rubber, fluids and electrical items becomes the dominant wear factor. The offside front outer CV boot is the single most pressing recurring defect and will now require imminent replacement, as a split boot allows grease to escape and contaminating dirt and water to enter the joint, ultimately leading to complete drive shaft failure if neglected. A test drive should be carried out in full lock both ways while listening for any clicking, knocking or clonking noises from the front suspension, and the area around the boot and the rear of the engine should be inspected for fresh oil leakage, given the persistent front oil and coolant advisories from the 2022 test. The brake pedal feel should be firm and progressive, the handbrake should hold the vehicle on a slope without excessive travel, and the front discs should be checked for lipping and corrosion, as the 2023 dangerous failure on the front brake pads points to a previous tendency for pad wear to be left to the last moment. Given the low annual mileage and the vehicle's age, a prospective buyer should also carry out age-related checks that would not necessarily be highlighted on an MOT. All four tyres should be examined on both the inner and outer sidewalls for cracking and perishing, even if tread depth remains adequate, as rubber deteriorates with calendar age regardless of mileage, and the spare should be inspected for the same. The 12 volt battery should be load tested, as batteries that have spent long periods standing rarely hold a full charge, and the brake fluid, coolant and engine oil should be checked for condition and service date, with a fluid change due simply on time elapsed rather than mileage covered. A thorough visual inspection underneath the car, ideally on a ramp, is strongly advised to confirm the extent of the rear coil spring corrosion that was first advised in 2025, to check the front subframe and strut top mounts for further corrosion, and to verify that the previously replaced Macpherson strut top mount has not deteriorated again, all of which are common weaknesses on a Ford Ka of this generation.