2016 Ford Ka+: known problems and what to check
Too few Ford Ka+ cars first registered in 2016 had an MOT during 2025 for reliable MOT figures. Here’s what we do know about the 2016 Ford Ka+, and what to check before you buy one.
Known faults on the 2016 Ford Ka+
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.
- 1.0 petrol (EcoBoost and non-turbo)
Timing belt that runs in oil (1.0 EcoBoost)
Ford’s 1.0 three-cylinder petrol uses a timing belt that runs in the engine oil on most cars. If oil changes are late or the wrong oil is used, the belt breaks down and sheds rubber that blocks the oil supply, which can wreck the engine. Some later cars have a timing chain instead: a Ford dealer can tell you from the VIN. Ford’s change interval is 10 years or 150,000 miles, and the belt isn’t covered by warranty.
At the viewing: Ask for a full service history with the right oil, and when the belt was changed. An oil-pressure warning light, a rattle or a rough idle are warning signs.
Source: Parkers: everything you need to know about the Ford wet belt
Questions to ask the seller before buying a 2016 Ford Ka+
Ask before you travel to see it. A seller who knows the car will have answers, and receipts.
- Has the timing belt been changed, and is there a full service history with the right oil?
- Can I see the service history and receipts for any big jobs?
What to check on a 2016 car
- MOT history
Check the reg below: its MOT history shows what has been failed or advised, and whether the mileage adds up.
- Service history
Look for regular servicing and receipts for big jobs like a cambelt or clutch.
- Finance and write-offs
MOT records don’t show outstanding finance or insurance write-offs. A history check does.
- Test drive
Listen for knocks over bumps, check every warning light goes out, and make sure the gears and brakes feel right.
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
| Year | MOT tests | Most flagged |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | – | Too few tests |
| 2018 | – | Too few tests |
| 2017 | – | Too few tests |
Where this comes from: how many are on the road is from the Department for Transport’s vehicle licensing statistics (DVLA records), counted by the year each car was first registered. Known faults are from UK buying guides, in our own words, with links. How we score