Reliability Report · Multi-Source Data

Ford Ka Reliability

The Ford Ka (current generation) scores 71/100 on our composite reliability index — good territory — drawn from DVSA data.

Composite Score
71
/ 100
Good
Sources: DVSA · latest 2024
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Reliability data covers the model. A VIN history report covers the exact Ford Ka you're looking at — accident and write-off records, mileage rollback, outstanding finance and theft checks.

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Reliability by Source

Each independent organization measures reliability differently. TÜV reports inspection defect rates by age band. ADAC reports pan-European breakdowns per 1,000 vehicles. NHTSA aggregates US consumer complaints. DVSA MOT data is the UK fleet's annual safety inspection — every car 3+ years old. Lower variance across sources = higher confidence in the composite.

DVSA MOT (UK Inspections)
Model years 2004–2021 · 2024 report · n=233474
233,474 UK MOT tests · overall 28.7% fail rate vs UK fleet baseline
View source ↗
71
/ 100
DVSA MOT (UK Inspections)
Model years 2003–2020 · 2023 report · n=176734
176,734 UK MOT tests · overall 27.3% fail rate vs UK fleet baseline
View source ↗
70
/ 100

UK MOT Reliability Detail

Based on 233,474 MOT tests in the UK during the 2024 reporting period. Score for each age band reflects this model's fail rate vs the UK-fleet baseline fail rate at the same age — a generation-aware metric.

Age 3–5 yrs
80
8.3% fail vs 10.9% fleet
13,178 tests
Age 6–9 yrs
73
17.8% fail vs 19.2% fleet
59,193 tests
Age 10–14 yrs
72
30.6% fail vs 32.1% fleet
115,453 tests
Age 15–20 yrs
65
44.1% fail vs 38.8% fleet
45,650 tests

Most Common MOT Failure Categories

#1
Shock absorbers
24,018
27.8%
#2
Pins and bushes
16,944
19.6%
#3
Component mounting prescribed areas
16,819
19.5%
#4
Condition
16,143
18.7%
#5
Registration plate lamp(s)
12,489
14.5%

Categories ranked across all MOT tests of this model in the UK during the 2024 period. "Condition" covers cosmetic / wear issues; suspension and braking dominate the rest.

Compare Against Alternatives

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