Used car guide

2009 Ford Ka: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2009 Ford Kas, from 15,648 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

15,648MOT tests in 2025
56%pass first time (all 2009 cars: 58%)
4,900typical miles a year
2.5×the usual rate for exhaust system

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2009 Ford Kas than on all cars registered in 2009.

  • Exhaust system2.5× usual
    Ford Ka
    21.4% All 2009 cars
    8.4%
    Rough price £100–£500

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

  • Shock absorbers2.5× usual
    Ford Ka
    19% All 2009 cars
    7.5%
    Rough price £150–£400

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

  • Coil springs1.6× usual
    Ford Ka
    20.4% All 2009 cars
    12.4%
    Rough price £120–£300

    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.

  • Handbrake performance3.7× usual
    Ford Ka
    3.7% All 2009 cars
    1%
    Rough price £80–£300

    At the viewing: Pull the handbrake on a slope. It should hold the car within a few clicks.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 1.9% here, against 7.5% of all 2009 cars. Track rod end: 1.6% here, against 5.4% of all 2009 cars.

By area

The share of 2009 Ford Ka MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    59% 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
    34% 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.

  • 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.

  • Lights and electrics
    29% of testsRough price £10–£80

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

  • Exhaust and emissions
    22% 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 engine or DPF warning lights.

  • Oil and fluid leaks
    13% 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.

Looking at a Ford Ka?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20199,987Tyres 25%
201810,916Tyres 28%
201713,238Tyres 29%
20168,248Suspension 36%
201513,086Suspension 48%
201418,220Suspension 48%
201318,136Suspension 52%
201216,208Suspension 55%
201115,011Suspension 56%
201016,870Suspension 57%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2009 Ford Kas registered in 2009. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score