2018 Ford KA 1.2L Petrol · SC18 EXX

The vehicle most recently passed its MOT on 4 March 2026 with no defects recorded. However, the overall maintenance trend shows a recent decline in stability, evidenced by a failure in January 2026 involving a major exhaust leak, a faulty supplementary restraint system warning lamp, and a non-functional windscreen washer. While these issues were addressed to achieve the subsequent pass, the sudden emergence of multiple major faults suggests a lapse in preventative maintenance. Prior to this, the vehicle maintained a consistent passing record, though recurring advisories indicate some creeping wear in the chassis components. With a recorded mileage of 50,471 miles over approximately eight years, the vehicle has averaged roughly 6,309 miles per year. This usage rate is considered typical for a city car of this age and suggests a balanced duty cycle. There are no indications of excessive wear associated with high-mileage use, nor are there signs of the degradation typically found in vehicles that have spent prolonged periods standing. The mechanical wear on the drivetrain and engine should be consistent with moderate, regular use. Prospective buyers should pay close attention to the suspension and braking systems. The offside front anti-roll bar linkage was flagged with play in both 2023 and 2024; if this component has not been replaced, listen for a distinct knocking or clunking sound when driving over uneven road surfaces or during low-speed cornering. Additionally, the 2023 advisory regarding pitted and scored front brake discs warrants a physical inspection. Check for any brake shudder through the pedal during deceleration or visible corrosion on the disc surfaces, as pitting can lead to reduced braking efficiency and premature pad wear. Given the recent failure relating to the supplementary restraint system, it is imperative to verify that the SRS warning lamp extinguishes fully upon starting the engine and remains off throughout the test drive. Any flickering or persistent illumination indicates a potentially dangerous fault in the airbag or seatbelt pretensioner systems. Furthermore, listen for any blowing sounds from the exhaust system to ensure the previous leak was properly repaired rather than temporarily patched. Finally, as the vehicle is now eight years old, inspect the tyre sidewalls for perishing or hairline cracking and verify that the engine oil and coolant have been changed according to the manufacturer's calendar-based intervals regardless of the moderate mileage.