2018 Ford Ka — MOT failures & pass rate
59,877 MOT tests on the 2018 Ford Ka are in this dataset, and 90.8% of them passed. That is effectively the same as city cars of a similar age (9.8% fail rate), so the MOT record here is unremarkable in either direction. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, tyres and visibility.
What the MOT record shows
No single area dominates — lighting & signalling (5.1%) and tyres (3.0%) are close, so failures are spread across several systems rather than one weak point.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp aim, track rod end and headlamp — headlamp aim alone was recorded 1,519 times.
Condition tracks the odometer closely. Failures run at 5.9% in the 0-30k band and 21.2% in the 120-150k band, a 15.4-point spread — more than double.
Tyres is the most common advisory, noted on 19.3% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
The trend is worsening — 5.0% of tests failed in 2021 against 13.5% in 2025, the usual pattern as a fleet ages.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.1% | 3,071 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.0% | 1,803 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.1% | 1,287 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.0% | 1,217 |
| 5 | Steering | 2.0% | 1,197 |
| 6 | Body, structure & corrosion | 0.9% | 557 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp aim | 1,519 |
| 2 | Track rod end | 1,299 |
| 3 | Headlamp | 1,003 |
| 4 | Brake pads | 963 |
| 5 | Tread depth | 927 |
| 6 | Washers | 824 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyres | 19.3% | 11,579 |
| 2 | Brakes | 10.4% | 6,228 |
| 3 | Other defects | 5.4% | 3,243 |
| 4 | Suspension | 3.3% | 1,986 |
| 5 | Steering | 2.9% | 1,759 |
| 6 | Lighting & signalling | 1.6% | 931 |
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 | 38,510 | 5.9% |
| 30-60k | 18,628 | 14.6% |
| 60-90k | 2,442 | 19.8% |
| 90-120k | 258 | 25.2% |
| 120-150k | 33 | 21.2% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 59,822 | 9.2% |
| Diesel | 55 | 16.4% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,569 | 5.0% |
| 2022 | 11,786 | 7.0% |
| 2023 | 11,989 | 8.8% |
| 2024 | 12,064 | 11.5% |
| 2025 | 12,469 | 13.5% |
What to check before buying a 2018 Ka
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 5.1% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (5.1% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (3.0% 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.
- Visibility (2.1% of tests): Wipers, washers, mirrors and screen damage — usually inexpensive, but check for chips in the driver's line of sight. Typical repair: £15–£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 2018 Ford Kas pass their MOT?
90.8% of the 59,877 2018 Ford Ka MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 9.2% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2018 Ford Ka?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.1% of tests, followed by tyres (3.0%).
Does the 2018 Ka get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 5.9% in the 0-30k band to 21.2% in the 120-150k band.
Methodology & source. Based on 59,877 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.