Used car guide

1997 Ford Ka: common problems and MOT failures

What MOT testers find on the Ford Ka first registered in 1997: we looked at the 145 MOTs these cars had during 2023–2025. Plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

Small sample: there were only 145 MOTs of these cars during 2023–2025, so treat the percentages as rough. The known faults below don't depend on it.

145MOTs of 1997 cars, done in 2023–2025
62%pass first time (all 1997 cars: 65%)
1,600typical miles a year
2.8×the usual rate for rust around suspension or steering mountings

What goes wrong more than usual on a 1997 Ford Ka?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 1997 Ford Ka than on all cars registered in 1997.

  • Rust around suspension or steering mountings2.8× usual
    Ford Ka
    22.8% All 1997 cars
    8.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.6%, against 4.5% of all 1997 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £100–£450 our estimate

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

Common 1997 Ford Ka MOT failures and advisories

The share of 1997 Ford Ka MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    39% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Brakes
    31% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Tyres
    23% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Rust and bodywork
    18% of testsRough price £150–£1,000

    At the viewing: Check the sills, wheel arches and underneath for rust, and look along the panels for uneven gaps or paint.

  • Lights and electrics
    17% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    14% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 1997 Ford Ka

Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.

  1. Any recent work on the rust around suspension or steering mountings? (Flagged at MOT 2.8× as often on the 1997 Ford Ka as on other cars the same age.)
  2. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?

Looking at a Ford Ka?

Check the actual car: its own MOT history, mileage and what to ask the seller. Free, no sign-up.

Other years

Every year of the Ford Ka compared

YearMOT testsMost flagged
201929,573Tyres 22%
201832,374Tyres 26%
201739,407Tyres 28%
201624,616Suspension 30%
201539,151Suspension 42%
201454,668Suspension 42%
201354,756Suspension 47%
201249,856Suspension 51%
201146,659Suspension 53%
201053,601Suspension 55%
200951,115Suspension 56%
200815,261Suspension 55%
200712,084Suspension 57%
20068,730Suspension 56%
20057,239Suspension 54%
20046,018Suspension 53%
20034,498Suspension 56%
20022,673Suspension 61%
20011,387Suspension 61%
2000612Suspension 54%
1999409Suspension 50%
1998253Suspension 53%
1996–Too few tests

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test done in Great Britain during 2023–2025, counting the MOTs of Ford Ka cars first registered in 1997. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score