2010 Ford KA 1.2L Petrol · WF10 KBY

The most recent DVSA examination on 13 June 2025 resulted in a PASS, however the overall maintenance trend suggested by the available test history cannot be described as stable. The previous attempt on 7 June 2025 was a FAIL, with major defects recorded against the headlamp levelling device, and across the wider history there have been repeated advisories relating to brake condition, suspension components, tyres, and lighting items. The advisory issued on the most recent pass for front brake pads wearing thin directly follows an earlier advisory for front brake binding, suggesting brake system attention has been a recurring theme. While the vehicle has clearly been kept in a roadworthy state by its most recent test, the pattern of advisories and a recent failure indicates that attention to consumable and suspension components should be regarded as ongoing rather than resolved. With 108,923 miles recorded on a 2010 Ford Ka, the vehicle has covered approximately 6,808 miles per year over its sixteen-year life, which sits broadly in line with average annual usage for a small city car of this age. There are no unusually large gaps in the recorded mileage between successive tests, and no evidence of rapid accumulation that would imply sustained high-mileage use. That said, at this odometer reading wear-related fatigue of engine, transmission, clutch, and suspension internals should be assumed, particularly given the Ka's known susceptibility to ageing rubber and plastic components in the drivetrain and underbody. Recurring defects in the MOT record warrant close physical inspection. The advisories for worn offside rear upper shock absorber bushes and for offside front shock absorbers showing a serious fluid leak in 2023 are particularly significant; although a fluid leak is an MOT failure item and would have been rectified before the subsequent pass, shock absorbers of this age frequently suffer progressive seal degradation, and the buyer should listen for knocking or clonking noises over uneven surfaces, particularly from the front, and check for uneven tyre wear which can indicate weakened damping. The brake binding advisory together with the recent front brake pad wear advisory points to possible caliper slider seizure, a common Ka issue, so a test drive should include repeated firm stops from speed to check for pulling, shudder, or a spongy pedal, and the calipers should be inspected for free movement and pad evenness. Tyres should also be examined for both legal tread depth and age-related sidewall perishing, as the advisories show edge wear has been noted repeatedly, and a sixteen-year-old vehicle should be assumed to require replacement regardless of remaining tread. Beyond the items flagged on the MOT record, a vehicle of this age and standing requires attention to time-based deterioration regardless of its recorded mileage. The 12V battery is likely approaching the end of its service life and should be load tested, while brake fluid, coolant, and engine oil will all benefit from replacement on calendar age rather than purely mileage grounds. Inspect the exhaust system for corrosion at the mounting points, the catback joint, and the rear silencer, as Ka exhausts commonly fail at the flexi section. Check underneath for surface corrosion to the subframe, rear beam, brake lines, and fuel lines, particularly given the damp UK climate exposure over sixteen winters. Finally, verify the service book history and confirm that the cam belt or timing chain, whichever is fitted to this engine variant, has been replaced within the manufacturer's recommended interval, as neglect in this area can result in catastrophic engine failure on these small Ford engines.