Ford Ka (2001)
2001 Ford Ka
CarHunch analysed 55,922 real MOT records for the 2001 Ford Ka. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2001 Ford Ka has a first-time MOT pass rate of just 65.3%, well below the UK average of 80%, and nearly 30% of these vehicles have recorded a dangerous defect at some point—making this a notably unreliable proposition for a 20+ year old car. This is a clear sign that age and wear have caught up with the model, and buyers should expect significant maintenance costs.
At an average mileage of 53,445 miles, these Kas have been relatively lightly driven for their age, yet they still average 4.7 failures and nearly 20 advisories per test, suggesting mechanical fragility rather than just high-mileage wear. Before buying, have a pre-purchase inspection focus on the suspension, exhaust system, and brake components, which typically drive the advisory count on this generation.
What to check before buying a 2001 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.
- ⚠️ 29% 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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (100%) | 55,895 | 65.3% | 4.72 |
| Diesel (0%) | 19 | 64.1% | 5.21 |
| Other (0%) | 4 | 71.3% | 1 |
| LPG (0%) | 4 | 72.1% | 3.25 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2001 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 2001 Ford Ka vehicles fall between 43,858 and 63,312 miles.
2001 Ford Ka — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 1,715 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 — 2001 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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101.6%
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment
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83.5%
Offside Front Macpherson strut has slight movement at the upper attachment
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81.9%
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
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81.5%
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
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74.8%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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70.9%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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46.9%
Nearside Front Macpherson strut has excessive movement at the upper attachment
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41.1%
Oil leak
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2001. 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.