Ford Ka (2002)
2002 Ford Ka
CarHunch analysed 66,433 real MOT records for the 2002 Ford Ka. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2002 Ford Ka struggles badly on the MOT, with a first-time pass rate of just 66.3% against the UK average of 80%—that's a 13.7 percentage point deficit. More worrying, nearly one-in-three of these cars (31.4%) have had a dangerous defect flagged at some point, which is a genuine safety concern for buyers considering one.
These Kas are running at typical mileage for their age (median of 50,521 miles), but they're generating serious mechanical issues: an average of 5 failures and 21 advisories per test suggests parts are wearing out or weren't well-maintained. Before buying, get a pre-purchase inspection focused on brakes, steering, and suspension—the dangerous defect rate suggests these are where problems cluster.
What to check before buying a 2002 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.
- ⚠️ 31.4% 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%) | 66,375 | 66.3% | 5.05 |
| Diesel (0%) | 38 | 64.9% | 5.03 |
| Other (0%) | 16 | 55.5% | 1 |
| LPG (0%) | 4 | 67.2% | 4.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2002 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 2002 Ford Ka vehicles fall between 40,734 and 59,891 miles.
2002 Ford Ka — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 2,381 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2021 (5% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2021.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2002 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 2002. 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.