Ford Ka (2016)
2016 Ford Ka
CarHunch analysed 8,324 real MOT records for the 2016 Ford Ka. This breakdown of actual test outcomes — pass rates, defect profiles, mileage data — isn't published anywhere else.
The 2016 Ford Ka is slightly more reliable than average, with an 84.9% first-time pass rate compared to the UK's 80%, but there's a significant concern: 30.2% of these cars have experienced a dangerous defect at some point, well above what you'd typically see. This suggests that while many pass their MOT, those that fail tend to develop serious issues worth investigating pre-purchase.
At nearly 30,000 miles median mileage for an eight-year-old car, these Kas have been driven gently and show modest maintenance demands with 1.45 average failures per test. However, the high advisory count of 9.4 per vehicle points to persistent minor wear items—particularly electrical gremlins and suspension creep that buyers should budget for. Have any potential purchase inspected by a Ford-familiar mechanic and specifically ask about previous dangerous defects in the service history.
What to check before buying a 2016 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.
- ⚠️ 30.2% 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%) | 8,320 | 84.9% | 1.45 |
| Other (0%) | 3 | 66.7% | 0.67 |
| Diesel (0%) | 1 | 0% | 0 |
Mileage Distribution
Most 2016 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 2016 Ford Ka vehicles fall between 20,590 and 41,350 miles.
2016 Ford Ka — Still on the Road
Strong survival — 7,959 vehicles still getting MOTs in 2025, 98% of the peak.
Based on vehicles from this manufacture year that had at least one MOT test in each calendar year. Data from 2018–2025.
MOT History Averages
Most Common MOT Issues — 2016 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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41.3%
Offside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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40.2%
Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
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36.5%
Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin
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16.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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15.6%
Offside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing
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12.2%
Nearside Front Shock absorbers has light misting of oil
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12%
Front Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened
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10.9%
Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge
Data covers a 3-year window centred on 2016. 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.