2011 Ford Ka petrol: common problems and MOT failures

What goes wrong more than usual on a 2011 Ford Ka petrol?

Parts flagged at MOT more often on the 2011 Ford Ka petrol than on all cars registered in 2011.

• Shock absorbers3.1× usual
  Ford Ka

  21.7% All 2011 cars

  7%

  Failed outright at MOT: 8.2%, against 1.8% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £200–£300 (pair, average rear to front) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Push down hard on each corner. It should bounce once and settle. Look for oil on the shock absorber body.

• Exhaust system3.2× usual
  Ford Ka

  18.8% All 2011 cars

  5.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.7%, against 1.7% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £100–£500 (pipe or section) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for blowing or rattling from underneath at idle, and look for black soot around joints.

• Suspension arm bushes and joints1.6× usual
  Ford Ka

  15.7% All 2011 cars

  9.9%

  Failed outright at MOT: 3.9%, against 2.2% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

• Coil springs1.6× usual
  Ford Ka

  14.9% All 2011 cars

  9.2%

  Failed outright at MOT: 0.5%, against 4% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £175–£400 (pair, one axle) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Look behind each wheel for a snapped spring coil, and listen for a clunk or twang when turning the wheel lock to lock with the car stopped.

• Ball joint1.7× usual
  Ford Ka

  9.8% All 2011 cars

  5.8%

  Failed outright at MOT: 4.9%, against 3.1% of all 2011 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

  Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

  At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Common 2011 Ford Ka petrol MOT failures and advisories

The share of 2011 Ford Ka petrol MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

• Suspension
  53% 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.

• Tyres
  33% 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.

• Lights and electrics
  24% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

• Brakes
  22% 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.

• Exhaust and emissions
  19% of testsRough price £100–£1,200

  At the viewing: Look for black soot in the tailpipe, listen for blowing from the exhaust and check for an engine warning light.

• Oil and fluid leaks
  9% of testsRough price £80–£600

  At the viewing: Look under the engine and on the ground where the car is usually parked for fresh oil or fluid.

Known faults on the 2011 Ford Ka petrol

Reported by owners, mechanics and buying guides for this model and age. Check which engine the car has, as some apply to one engine only.

• Worn clutch and gearbox from town driving

  All engines

  A life of town driving wears the clutch, and notchy gear changes can mean an abused gearbox.

  At the viewing: Accelerate in a high gear to check the clutch doesn't slip, and try every gear.

  If it needs doing: Clutch replacement, about £250–£600. ClickMechanic

  Source: What Car?: used Ford Ka 2008-2016 advice

• Poor accident repairs and rust

  All engines

  Scraped bumpers are common, and cheap accident repairs can rust.

  At the viewing: Look along the panels for mismatched paint, uneven gaps and bubbling.

  Source: What Car?: used Ford Ka 2008-2016 advice

Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2011 Ford Ka petrol

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

1. Has the clutch been replaced?
2. Has the car had any bodywork?
3. Any recent work on the shock absorbers? (Flagged at MOT 3.1× as often on the 2011 Ford Ka petrol as on other cars the same age.)
4. Any recent work on the exhaust system? (Flagged at MOT 3.2× as often on the 2011 Ford Ka petrol as on other cars the same age.)
5. Any recent work on the suspension arm bushes and joints? (Flagged at MOT 1.6× as often on the 2011 Ford Ka petrol as on other cars the same age.)
6. Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?