Ford Ka (2011)
2011 Ford Ka
CarHunch analysed 17,503 real MOT records for the 2011 Ford Ka. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2011 Ford Ka's 79.3% pass rate sits just below the UK average of 80%, suggesting broadly average reliability, but nearly 47% of these cars have recorded dangerous defects at some point—a significant concern for any potential buyer. Petrol models perform marginally better at 79.5% pass rate compared to diesel at 75.9%, though the diesel sample is much smaller.
These Kas are averaging around 49,000 miles, which is reasonable for their age, yet they're racking up 3.24 failures per test and 24.5 advisories, pointing to common wear-and-tear issues rather than catastrophic problems. Before buying, budget for routine remedial work and run a full MOT history check to see whether any dangerous defects were recorded on your specific car.
Petrol vs Diesel
Pass rate difference of 3.6 percentage points — worth knowing if you're choosing between the two.
What to check before buying a 2011 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.
- ⚠️ 46.9% 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 (95%) | 16,697 | 79.5% | 3.22 |
| Diesel (5%) | 804 | 75.9% | 3.71 |
| Other (0%) | 2 | 75% | 0.5 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2011 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 2011 Ford Ka vehicles fall between 34,257 and 60,296 miles.
2011 Ford Ka — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 14,337 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 84% of the peak.
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 — 2011 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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51.3%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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50.1%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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45.3%
Offside Rear Coil spring corroded
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42.2%
Nearside Rear Coil spring corroded
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37.3%
Oil leak, but not excessive
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33.3%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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30.6%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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30.1%
Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2011. 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.