Ford Ka (1997)
1997 Ford Ka
CarHunch analysed 28,156 real MOT records for the 1997 Ford Ka. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 1997 Ford Ka has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 60%, which is 20 points below the UK average, and nearly a quarter of these cars have recorded dangerous defects at some point—making this a notably unreliable proposition by modern standards. With an average of 3.1 failures per vehicle and 9.7 advisories, you're looking at consistent mechanical issues rather than isolated problems.
The median mileage of 63,441 miles is relatively modest for a 27-year-old car, yet these examples still rack up serious defect counts, suggesting age and component wear are the primary culprits rather than hard use. If you're considering one, budget for remedial work before purchase and expect ongoing maintenance costs; factor in a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with older Fords to identify which failures you'll face first.
What to check before buying a 1997 Ford Ka
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.
- ⚠️ 24.6% of these vehicles have had a dangerous defect recorded. Enter the reg below — the full MOT history will show exactly what was flagged and whether it was resolved.
- 📄 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
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Pass Rate by Fuel Type
| Fuel type | Vehicles | Pass rate | Avg failures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 28,150 | 60% | 3.1 |
| Diesel (0%) | 6 | 42.9% | 2.17 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 1997 Ford Ka 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.
Half of all 1997 Ford Ka vehicles fall between 49,694 and 74,718 miles.
1997 Ford Ka — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 131 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2020 (6% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2020.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 1997 Ford Ka
Based on actual MOT test records for this model. Percentage shows how often each item appears across all vehicles in this cohort.
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55.4%
Offside Rear Suspension component mounting prescribed area is excessively corroded
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51.2%
Parking brake: efficiency below requirements
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42.2%
Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
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40.1%
Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
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38.6%
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
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36.7%
Offside Seat belt anchorage prescribed area is excessively corroded
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35.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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35.5%
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 1997. Counts include advisories and failures.
Found a specific Ford Ka?
Enter the reg to see its individual MOT history, AI Hunches, and how it compares to this cohort.