Ford Ka (2005)
2005 Ford Ka
CarHunch analysed 39,334 real MOT records for the 2005 Ford Ka. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2005 Ford Ka has a first-time pass rate of 68.8%, notably below the UK average of 80%, which suggests older examples need careful pre-purchase inspection. With nearly a third of vehicles (32.6%) having experienced dangerous defects at some point, this is a significant buyer concern—particularly for safety-critical systems.
At 46,665 miles on average, these Kas have covered a reasonable distance for their age, but the high failure count of 4.67 per vehicle and 18.5 advisories per vehicle indicate common wear and maintenance issues across the fleet. Before buying one, budget for imminent repairs and get a pre-purchase inspection focused on braking, suspension, and exhaust systems where the defects typically cluster.
What to check before buying a 2005 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.
- ⚠️ 32.6% 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%) | 39,291 | 68.9% | 4.67 |
| Other (0%) | 28 | 57.4% | 0.96 |
| Diesel (0%) | 12 | 63.6% | 4.83 |
| LPG (0%) | 3 | 68.5% | 4.67 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2005 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 2005 Ford Ka vehicles fall between 34,636 and 56,922 miles.
2005 Ford Ka — Still on the Road
Numbers are declining — 2,219 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2024 (6% of peak).
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2024.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2005 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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71.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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71.6%
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
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69.2%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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68.2%
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
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31%
Front brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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30%
Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
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29.8%
Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated
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29.5%
Nearside Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2005. 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.