1999 Ford Ka — MOT failures & pass rate
1,339 MOT tests on the 1999 Ford Ka are in this dataset, and 66.8% of them passed. Against city cars of a similar age (27.6% fail rate), the 1999 Ka comes out 5.6pp worse. Failures cluster in suspension, brakes and lighting & signalling.
What the MOT record shows
Suspension dominates the failure mix at 20.3% of all tests — 6.3 points clear of brakes, so it is the first thing to check.
At component level the recurring items are component mounting prescribed areas, prescribed areas and service brake performance — component mounting prescribed areas alone was recorded 311 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 25.5% of 0-30k cars fail, rising to 43.5% once past 90-120k.
Advisories point at the next bill rather than this one: suspension was flagged on 40.1% of tests without failing them.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 20.3% | 272 |
| 2 | Brakes | 14.0% | 188 |
| 3 | Lighting & signalling | 10.5% | 140 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 10.4% | 139 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.9% | 92 |
| 6 | Seat belts & restraints | 6.4% | 86 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Component mounting prescribed areas | 311 |
| 2 | Prescribed areas | 134 |
| 3 | Service brake performance | 114 |
| 4 | Pins and bushes | 109 |
| 5 | Integral vehicle structure condition | 97 |
| 6 | Wipers | 82 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 40.1% | 537 |
| 2 | Brakes | 30.5% | 408 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.6% | 369 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 17.3% | 231 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 13.9% | 186 |
| 6 | Other defects | 12.4% | 166 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 0-30k | 255 | 25.5% |
| 30-60k | 657 | 33.3% |
| 60-90k | 363 | 36.6% |
| 90-120k | 62 | 43.5% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 461 | 33.2% |
| 2022 | 331 | 32.3% |
| 2023 | 252 | 33.7% |
| 2024 | 170 | 34.7% |
| 2025 | 125 | 32.8% |
What to check before buying a 1999 Ka
On a 1999 Ka, suspension is what the MOT record says goes wrong most — it appeared in 20.3% of tests. Check these areas before you commit.
- Suspension (20.3% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (14.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
- Lighting & signalling (10.5% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 1999 Ford Kas pass their MOT?
66.8% of the 1,339 1999 Ford Ka MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 33.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 1999 Ford Ka?
Suspension, recorded in 20.3% of tests, followed by brakes (14.0%).
Does the 1999 Ka get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 25.5% in the 0-30k band to 43.5% in the 90-120k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 1,339 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.