2005 Ford Ka MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 53.4% of Ford Kas first used in 2005 passed their MOT first time, against 57.6% for all cars first used in 2005. Across 7,230 Ka first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, lamps and electrical equipment and body, chassis and structure.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Ford Kas first used in 2005 (all trims grouped): 2021 to 2025 for the pass-rate trend, and 2023 to 2025 for the failure and advisory analysis — plus what is worth checking before you buy one.
Data: DVSA anonymised MOT tests to December 2025 · Calculated by SortedCars · Updated October 2026
How the 2005 Ford Ka MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Kas first used in 2005 against all cars first used in 2005 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Ka figure was 4.2 points lower.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2005 Ka | All cars first used 2005 | Ka first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 45.1% | 54.6% | 5,801 |
| 2022 | 48.1% | 55.7% | 4,215 |
| 2023 | 50.4% | 56.3% | 3,165 |
| 2024 | 51.1% | 56.5% | 2,343 |
| 2025 | 53.4% | 57.6% | 1,722 |
Common 2005 Ford Ka MOT failures
Share of the 3,519 failed first tests (2023–2025) with at least one failure in each area. A test can fail in more than one area, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
Most common failure items
| DVSA failure item | Share of failed first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength | 26.5% | 933 |
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | 13.1% | 461 |
| Prescribed areas: prescribed area strength or continuity significantly reduced | 12.8% | 452 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | 12.0% | 424 |
| Stop lamp: not working | 9.8% | 345 |
Item names are DVSA’s own wording. 2023–2025 combined.
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Typical repair costs for common MOT failures
Typical UK garage prices for the job, not for a Ka in particular, and not a quote.
| Failure item | Typical job | Typical UK price | Usual range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken | Coil spring replacement | £248 | £175–£400 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush excessively worn | Suspension arm replacement | £150 | £120–£180 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2005 Ford Ka before buying
The three areas where failed first tests most often had a fault, 2023–2025.
- Suspension. Worth looking behind the front wheels with a torch at the coil springs, and listening for knocks over bumps on the test drive.
- Lamps and electrics. Ask someone to watch while you work the brake lights, indicators, sidelights, dipped and main beam, and the number-plate lamps.
- Body and underside. Worth looking underneath with a torch at the sills, floor and mountings for corrosion, and at the rubber boots on the drive shafts for splits.
Common 2005 Ford Ka MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2005 Kas, as a share of all 7,230 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive | 19.8% | 1,434 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 16.8% | 1,213 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 13.3% | 963 |
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 13.2% | 957 |
| Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive | 11.0% | 796 |
Questions about the 2005 Ford Ka MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2005 Ford Ka?
In 2025, 53.4% of Kas first used in 2005 passed their MOT first time, against 57.6% for all cars first used in 2005. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2005 Ka most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension (in 56.0% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (39.4%) and body, chassis and structure (24.0%). The single most common item was “Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area excessively corroded significantly reducing structural strength” (26.5%).
How often does a 2005 Ford Ka fail its MOT?
In 2025, 46.6% of first tests on Kas first used in 2005 did not pass first time: 40.5% failed, and a further 6.1% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 3,519 of 7,230 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2005 Ford Ka MOT advisories?
“Engine oil leaks: leak, but not excessive” (on 19.8% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (16.8%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (13.3%), “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (13.2%) and “Component mounting prescribed areas: prescribed area is corroded but not considered excessive” (11.0%).
Is a 2005 Ford Ka reliable?
An MOT pass rate shows what failed at the test, not how reliable a car is. For this group of cars the first-time pass rate went from 45.1% in 2021 to 53.4% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2005
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2005 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2005 MINI Hatch MOT statistics · 2005 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2005 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2005 Toyota Yaris MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2005 Ka?
The numbers above cover every Ka first used in 2005 and tested in Great Britain. Our free check shows the actual MOT history, mileage record and tax status of the one you are looking at.
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