Ford Ka+ Zetec (2018)

268 real MOT outcomes analysed • 77.6% first-time pass rate

2018 Ford Ka+ Zetec

CarHunch analysed 268 real MOT records for the 2018 Ford Ka+ Zetec. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.

The 2018 Ford Ka+ Zetec has a first-time pass rate of 77.6%, slightly below the UK average of 80%, which suggests marginally higher-than-average reliability issues—though notably, zero vehicles in this cohort have ever recorded a dangerous defect, so safety concerns are minimal. The "Other" fuel type (likely LPG or hybrid variants) shows an exceptional 97.7% pass rate among the 213 vehicles tested, indicating these powertrains are particularly robust.

These cars are running at sensible mileage for their age, with a median of 26,657 miles, and they're failing quietly: only 0.08 failures per vehicle on average with zero advisory items recorded. Before buying, request the full MOT history to confirm it's one of the better-performing examples, since the pass rate variation suggests some of these cars are more prone to minor issues than others—a strong service record is your best predictor here.

Average reliability 2.4% below UK average
77.6%
pass MOT first time
UK average: ~80%
26,657
typical mileage
18,259–36,173 middle half
0%
ever had a dangerous defect
recorded at any MOT
0.08
avg MOT failures per car
over 2.5 tests on record

What to check before buying a 2018 Ford Ka+ Zetec

Practical pre-purchase checks for this age and model.

  • 📋 Check the full MOT history. Look for recurring advisories — slow-building issues like corrosion or brake wear patterns show up years before they become failures. Enter the reg below for a full AI analysis.
  • 🔍 Inspect for corrosion in person. Brake pipes, sills, subframes, and chassis legs. Surface rust is normal at this age; structural rust is a serious problem that's expensive to fix and can fail an MOT.
  • 🛞 Check tyres and brakes. The most common advisory items at this age. Budget for replacement if they're near the limit — factor this into your offer price.
  • 📄 Run an HPI check. The MOT history won't show outstanding finance, insurance write-offs, or stolen status — an HPI check will.

Before you buy a Ford Ka+ Zetec

MOT history is one piece of the puzzle. These checks can reveal what CarHunch can't.

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Pass Rate by Fuel Type

Fuel type Vehicles Pass rate Avg failures
Other (79%) 213 97.7% 0.1
Petrol (21%) 55 0% 0

Mileage Distribution

Most 2018 Ford Ka+ Zetec vehicles sit in the blue band. If the car you're looking at is outside it, it's either unusually low or high mileage for its age.

18,259
low mileage
26,657
typical
36,173
high mileage

Half of all 2018 Ford Ka+ Zetec vehicles fall between 18,259 and 36,173 miles.

2018 Ford Ka+ Zetec — Still on the Road

121 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 67% of the peak remain.

180 121 2022 2025

Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2022–2025.

MOT History Averages

2.5
Avg MOT tests per vehicle
0.08
Avg failures per vehicle
0
Avg advisories per vehicle

Found a specific Ford Ka+ Zetec?

Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.

UK

Other model years — Ford Ka+ Zetec:

2010 2013 2014 2015 2017 2019