2014 Ford Ka — MOT failures & pass rate
110,736 MOT tests on the 2014 Ford Ka are in this dataset, and 82.5% of them passed. That is effectively the same as city cars of a similar age (17.4% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in suspension, lighting & signalling and tyres.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — suspension (7.9%) and lighting & signalling (7.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are shock absorbers, wipers and stop lamp — shock absorbers alone was recorded 6,583 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 10.3% in the 0-30k band and 30.7% in the 150k+ band, a 20.4-point spread — more than double.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 31.1% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 14.5% of tests failed in 2021 against 20.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 7.9% | 8,760 |
| 2 | Lighting & signalling | 7.0% | 7,811 |
| 3 | Tyres | 4.6% | 5,046 |
| 4 | Brakes | 4.3% | 4,760 |
| 5 | Visibility | 4.2% | 4,651 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 2.4% | 2,611 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shock absorbers | 6,583 |
| 2 | Wipers | 3,167 |
| 3 | Stop lamp | 3,045 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 2,896 |
| 5 | Ball joint | 2,877 |
| 6 | Headlamp aim | 2,404 |
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 | 31.1% | 34,469 |
| 2 | Tyres | 26.4% | 29,192 |
| 3 | Brakes | 15.5% | 17,144 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 8.2% | 9,111 |
| 5 | Other defects | 6.8% | 7,487 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 4.2% | 4,620 |
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 | 23,495 | 10.3% |
| 30-60k | 56,879 | 17.0% |
| 60-90k | 25,504 | 23.3% |
| 90-120k | 4,107 | 26.8% |
| 120-150k | 539 | 27.8% |
| 150k+ | 75 | 30.7% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 21,668 | 14.5% |
| 2022 | 21,993 | 15.7% |
| 2023 | 22,195 | 17.1% |
| 2024 | 22,481 | 19.4% |
| 2025 | 22,399 | 20.5% |
What to check before buying a 2014 Ka
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: suspension accounted for 7.9% of tests. Start there.
- Suspension (7.9% 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.
- Lighting & signalling (7.0% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (4.6% of tests): Usually a quick, known-cost fix, but check tread, age and uneven wear (which can hint at alignment or suspension issues). Typical repair: £50–£120 per tyre.
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 2014 Ford Kas pass their MOT?
82.5% of the 110,736 2014 Ford Ka MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 17.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2014 Ford Ka?
Suspension, recorded in 7.9% of tests, followed by lighting & signalling (7.0%).
Does the 2014 Ka get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.3% in the 0-30k band to 30.7% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 110,736 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.