2013 Ford KA 1.2L Petrol · SJ63 XFH

The 2013 Ford Ka presents a mixed maintenance picture. The most recent test on 6 December 2025 at 67,862 miles passed cleanly with zero defects, which is encouraging. That result came one day after a failure at the identical recorded mileage, where the tester flagged a low headlamp aim, an incorrectly fitted offside rear tyre, and a split nearside front CV joint boot allowing dirt ingress. The immediate retest suggests those items were addressed promptly. Looking back further, the trend is not straightforward. The vehicle passed in December 2022 at 54,726 miles with no issues, yet by November 2023 at 62,093 miles it accumulated advisories for play in the steering rack inner joints, slight play in the nearside front suspension arm ball joint, and corrosion across steering, brake, and suspension components. The November 2024 test at 67,568 miles again flagged play in the offside front anti-roll bar ball joint and front steering rack inner joints. Recurring steering rack play across three consecutive tests indicates a persistent wear pattern that has not been permanently resolved, while the ball joint and corrosion advisories point to gradual deterioration consistent with age rather than a single neglectful period. The mileage profile warrants scrutiny. Between December 2022 at 54,726 miles and November 2023 at 62,093 miles, the Ka covered roughly 7,367 miles in under twelve months. Yet by November 2024 the odometer read only 67,568 miles, meaning just 5,475 miles were added over the following year. The recorded mileage then appears static between the failed and passed tests on 5 and 6 December 2025, both logged at 67,862 miles. At approximately 5,220 miles per year across its thirteen-year life, this is low annual usage. Such figures can indicate extended periods of inactivity, which itself poses risks including deteriorated rubber components, stale fuel, and surface corrosion on brake discs and suspension bushes that regular use would otherwise keep in check. A prospective buyer should focus the physical inspection on the areas the MOT record repeatedly highlights. The steering rack inner joint play appearing in 2023, 2024, and implicitly in 2022 demands a thorough check for clonking or vagueness through the wheel, as rack wear at this mileage is atypical and may suggest prior damage or a poorly executed repair. The nearside front CV boot was split in December 2025 and presumably replaced, but the joint itself should be inspected for play or clicking under full lock, as contamination from a failed boot can accelerate wear silently. Front suspension ball joints and anti-roll bar links on both sides have shown play across multiple tests, so a pry-bar check at the front end is essential. Corrosion flagged in 2023 on steering and braking components should be re-examined visually, particularly around subframe mounting points, brake hose unions, and the underside of the front crossmember. Tyre fitting errors, such as the inside-out rear tyre noted in the December 2025 failure, suggest work was carried out by someone unfamiliar with the vehicle, so a general review of tyre condition, wheel nut torque, and any recent replacement parts is advisable.