Ford Ka (2009)
2009 Ford Ka
CarHunch analysed 22,144 real MOT records for the 2009 Ford Ka. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2009 Ford Ka's 76.8% pass rate trails the UK average by 3.2 points, signalling below-average reliability for its age—and half of these cars have logged a dangerous defect at some point, which is a serious red flag for any buyer. Petrol versions fare marginally better at 76.9% versus diesel's 74.2%, though neither inspires confidence.
These Kas are running at typical mileage for their age (median 51,200 miles), yet they're racking up an average of 4.1 failures and 27.4 advisories per test, indicating chronic wear and maintenance gaps. Before purchasing one, have a pre-buy inspection focus on the dangerous defect history and demand full service records to understand what corners may have been cut.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 2.7 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2009 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.
- ⚠️ 50.7% 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 (96%) | 21,322 | 76.9% | 4.09 |
| Diesel (4%) | 816 | 74.2% | 4.45 |
| Other (0%) | 5 | 73.3% | 0.8 |
| Electric (0%) | 1 | 64.3% | 5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2009 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 2009 Ford Ka vehicles fall between 37,210 and 65,583 miles.
2009 Ford Ka — Still on the Road
14,870 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025 — 69% of the peak remain.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2014–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2009 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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52.9%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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51.5%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to the legal limit
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37.9%
Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
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33.3%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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33.1%
Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement
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30.7%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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30.3%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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22.8%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2009. 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.