2014 Ford Ka MOT pass rate, common failures & what to check
In 2025, 69.0% of Ford Kas first used in 2014 passed their MOT first time, against 68.6% for all cars first used in 2014. Across 55,219 Ka first tests from 2023 to 2025, the most common failure areas were suspension, lamps and electrical equipment and brakes.
This page analyses first MOT tests for Ford Kas first used in 2014 (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 2014 Ford Ka MOT pass rate has changed
Share of first tests passed in each year, Kas first used in 2014 against all cars first used in 2014 (any make or fuel; not adjusted for mileage, fuel or use). In 2025 the Ka figure was in line with the all-cars figure.
View this chart as a table
| Test year | 2014 Ka | All cars first used 2014 | Ka first tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 77.4% | 76.3% | 18,638 |
| 2022 | 75.5% | 74.1% | 18,667 |
| 2023 | 73.6% | 71.7% | 18,561 |
| 2024 | 70.4% | 69.9% | 18,484 |
| 2025 | 69.0% | 68.6% | 18,174 |
Common 2014 Ford Ka MOT failures
Share of the 15,997 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | 12.8% | 2,044 |
| Stop lamp: not working | 11.5% | 1,844 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | 9.5% | 1,517 |
| Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush | 9.1% | 1,450 |
| Tread depth: below requirements of 1.6mm | 8.1% | 1,290 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak | Shock absorber replacement | £300 | £200–£500 |
| Ball joint: excessively worn | Ball joint replacement | £90 | £60–£150 |
| Shock absorbers: has an excessively worn bush | Shock absorber replacement | £300 | £200–£500 |
From published UK repair-cost guides, checked September 2026. Only jobs with a published typical price are shown.
What to check on a 2014 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.
- Brakes. Worth looking at the discs and pads through the wheel spokes for scoring and a worn lip, and noticing on the test drive whether the car pulls to one side or the pedal feels long.
Common 2014 Ford Ka MOT advisories
Advisories are points the tester noted that did not fail the car. Most common on 2014 Kas, as a share of all 55,219 first tests, 2023–2025.
| DVSA advisory item | Share of first tests | Tests |
|---|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge | 16.8% | 9,299 |
| Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil | 11.7% | 6,458 |
| Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement | 11.7% | 6,441 |
| Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing | 10.9% | 6,013 |
| Coil spring: corroded | 9.5% | 5,226 |
Questions about the 2014 Ford Ka MOT
What is the MOT pass rate of a 2014 Ford Ka?
In 2025, 69.0% of Kas first used in 2014 passed their MOT first time, against 68.6% for all cars first used in 2014. A car fixed during the test counts as a fail.
What does a 2014 Ka most often fail its MOT on?
Suspension (in 39.3% of failed first tests, 2023–2025), lamps and electrical equipment (32.7%) and brakes (19.5%). The single most common item was “Shock absorbers: has a serious fluid leak” (12.8%).
How often does a 2014 Ford Ka fail its MOT?
In 2025, 31.0% of first tests on Kas first used in 2014 did not pass first time: 25.3% failed, and a further 5.6% had a fault fixed during the test (counted as a fail here). Across 2023–2025, 15,997 of 55,219 first tests did not pass first time.
What are the most common 2014 Ford Ka MOT advisories?
“Tread depth: worn close to legal limit/worn on edge” (on 16.8% of first tests, 2023–2025), “Shock absorbers: has light misting of oil” (11.7%), “Suspension arm pins and bushes: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement” (11.7%), “Tyre condition: slightly damaged/cracking or perishing” (10.9%) and “Coil spring: corroded” (9.5%).
Is a 2014 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 77.4% in 2021 to 69.0% in 2025. For one particular car, its own MOT history matters more than the average.
Other cars first used in 2014
The most-tested cars from the same year. Each page uses the same method.
2014 Ford Fiesta MOT statistics · 2014 Vauxhall Corsa MOT statistics · 2014 Ford Focus MOT statistics · 2014 Volkswagen Golf MOT statistics · 2014 Vauxhall Astra MOT statistics
Checking a specific 2014 Ka?
The numbers above cover every Ka first used in 2014 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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