2018 Ford KA 1.2L Petrol · SY68 OYV

A 2018 Ford Ka with 17,289 miles on its odometer has a MOT record that is largely clean but contains a notable exception. The car passed every MOT test from 2021 through 2026 with the sole instance of a non-pass occurring in 2025, which carried an advisory noting that the front tyres were worn close to legal limits on both sides. This isolated warning stands out against a generally robust service history and signals that while the chassis, drivetrain, and major systems have remained within normal operating parameters, the front tyres have reached or approached the legal wear threshold. The consistency of passes in subsequent years suggests the vehicle has held together well until that point, but the tyre advisory warrants particular scrutiny before considering a purchase. The vehicle sits at 17,289 miles on its eight-year odometer, which translates to roughly 2,161 miles per year—a rate that is substantially below what would be expected for a passenger car of this age and type. This slow accumulation indicates the car has likely been driven infrequently or has experienced extended periods of immobility between service intervals, which inherently reduces the amount of wear accumulated on suspension components, brake pads, and clutch parts. The gap between the last two MOT tests spans just under six months, showing a fairly regular inspection cadence despite the low mileage, yet the absence of any other warnings suggests the engine, transmission, and primary suspension architecture have not shown signs of premature fatigue or major component failure. For the prospective buyer, the front tyres represent the critical item requiring immediate attention upon test drive. The 2025 advisory specifically identified wear close to legal limits on both front tyres, which typically manifests as visible thinning of the tread on the outer edges followed by a general flattening of the contact patch. During the test drive, listen for any harsher handling over kerbs or potholes that could indicate uneven tyre deflation or alignment issues stemming from the same wear pattern. Press gently on each tyre sidewall while the car is stationary to detect soft spots or loss of rigidity, and compare the lateral grip by observing how the car straightens itself after being nudged slightly off centre. Beyond the tyre situation, the complete absence of other MOT warnings means the powertrain, cooling system, and main suspension mounts have not triggered any failures or advisories during the recorded service history. This clean record supports the argument that the core drivetrain and primary suspension architecture have functioned adequately, though the lack of detailed component-level reporting leaves room for minor issues that did not reach the threshold for motorway MOT testing. A prudent approach is to commission an independent undercarriage inspection and verify that the suspension bushings retain adequate resilience without excessive play, alongside confirmation that the tyres meet the required tread depth and shape standards.