2014 Ford KA 1.2L Petrol · YX64 OPE

The vehicle’s roadworthiness has shown marked improvement in recent years, with the most recent MOT in August 2024—just nine months ago—passing without any defects at 345 miles. This suggests the owner has addressed prior issues effectively, as the 2023 failures were primarily due to minor electrical and suspension advisories rather than critical failures. However, the pattern between 2022 and 2023 reveals a trend of deferred maintenance: the August 2022 test failed on serious suspension faults, including a leaking front strut and binding brakes, alongside worn tyres. These were not repeated in later tests, indicating repairs were made, but the initial severity—particularly the strut leak and binding calipers—demonstrates past neglect that could recur if not properly serviced. The mileage history is highly unusual for a 12-year-old vehicle, with only 345 miles recorded since August 2023 and a total of 62,483 miles at the last significant test in 2023. This suggests either very light use or prolonged periods of inactivity, which can exacerbate issues like suspension dry-rotting or brake corrosion. The jump from 56,583 miles in 2022 to 62,483 in 2023 (a 5,900-mile increase in a year) contrasts sharply with the near-stagnant 345 miles since then. Such low annual mileage may have preserved some components but also risks undetected wear in areas like seals, bearings, and fluid integrity. A buyer should prioritise a thorough inspection of the front suspension, given the repeated advisories for worn bushes, leaking struts, and binding brakes in 2022. The Macpherson strut top bush and rear suspension arm bushes were flagged as worn but not yet critical—these should be checked for excessive play or corrosion. Brakes, particularly the near-side front, were noted as binding in 2022, which could indicate warped discs or seized calipers; test for uneven braking or vibration. Tyres, though not recently flagged, were historically worn to legal limits, so check tread depth and sidewalls for hidden damage. The absence of recent defects does not guarantee structural integrity, so inspect for rust in wheel arches, sills, and exhaust mounts, especially given the vehicle’s age and low mileage history. Finally, the August 2023 failure on the offside front position lamp—a minor but recurring issue—implies basic electrical checks were overlooked. While not safety-critical, it reflects a pattern of minor maintenance being deferred. The vehicle’s current clean MOT record is encouraging, but the prior history of suspension and brake issues demands hands-on verification before purchase.