2011 Ford KA 1.2L Petrol · WF11 TTV

A pattern of oil leakage from the engine, coupled with a worn rear tyre and an earlier near-side rear wheel bearing issue, defines the mechanical profile of this 2011 Ford Ka. The most recent test on 12 February 2026 was recorded as a pass, but it carried two advisories: an oil leak noted as not excessive, and a near-side rear tyre worn close to the legal limit and on its edge. Looking at the wider history, the car passed cleanly in 2023, 2024, and 2025 with no defects recorded, indicating a stable period of roadworthiness in recent years. That stability was preceded, however, by a failure at the previous test in December 2022, which included a dangerous tyre defect on the same near-side rear wheel, a rough near-side rear wheel bearing, an insecure obligatory mirror, and a malfunctioning windscreen washer. The recurrence of advisories and defects on the near-side rear corner is the single most consistent theme in the record and warrants close physical inspection. The recorded mileage of 78,446 miles across roughly fifteen years equates to an annual accumulation of approximately 5,230 miles, which is low for the vehicle's age. There are no extended gaps in the testing history, with annual tests recorded consecutively from 2022 through 2026, suggesting the vehicle has remained in regular use rather than being laid up for long periods. Low annual mileage of this nature reduces wear on major drivetrain components such as the clutch, gearbox, and engine internals, but it does mean that consumables like brake fluid, coolant, and the 12V battery may have aged through time rather than use. The mileage progression between tests is steady and shows no sudden jumps, which is consistent with genuine light motoring rather than clock irregularity, though this cannot be confirmed from MOT records alone. For a prospective buyer, the engine oil leak flagged in the 2026 advisory is the priority item to investigate. On inspection, the underside of the engine and bellhousing area should be examined for fresh oil staining or wet residue, and the oil filler cap and cam cover gasket checked for seepage. The source of the leak on a Ka of this era is commonly the cam cover gasket, sump seal, or oil filter housing, and while the tester judged it not excessive, any leak left unattended will progress over time. On a test drive, listen for any change in engine note that might suggest oil starvation, and check the oil level and condition on the dipstick, looking for milky residue that could indicate coolant contamination rather than a simple oil weep. The near-side rear wheel and tyre area demands equal attention given the cluster of historical issues there. The 2022 failure recorded a rough near-side rear wheel bearing, which would typically present as a humming or grinding noise that changes with vehicle speed and may become more pronounced when cornering. The 2026 advisory noted the near-side rear tyre worn close to the legal limit and on its edge, which can indicate either an alignment issue, an older tyre that has simply aged, or uneven wear from a binding component. On a test drive, the vehicle should be driven at a steady motorway speed with windows down to listen for bearing drone, and any steering pull or uneven tracking should be noted. The remaining advisories from 2022, namely the windscreen washer and mirror, are minor items, but confirming that both function correctly during a viewing remains sensible practice before purchase.