2017 Ford Ka + — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 72,332 MOT tests analysed for the 2017 Ford Ka +, the most common recorded failure areas were lighting & signalling, tyres and visibility. Its pass rate of 91.3% was above the average for city cars of a similar age (88.4%). Higher-mileage examples failed more often — 28.6% in the 150k+ group versus 4.8% in the 0-30k group.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 5.6% | 4,062 |
| 2 | Tyres | 3.4% | 2,430 |
| 3 | Visibility | 2.2% | 1,617 |
| 4 | Brakes | 2.1% | 1,540 |
| 5 | Suspension | 1.1% | 828 |
| 6 | Steering | 0.8% | 570 |
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 | 1,785 |
| 2 | Headlamp | 1,431 |
| 3 | Brake pads | 1,250 |
| 4 | Tread depth | 1,161 |
| 5 | Washers | 1,097 |
| 6 | Wipers | 641 |
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 | 21.9% | 15,842 |
| 2 | Brakes | 11.6% | 8,420 |
| 3 | Suspension | 6.0% | 4,350 |
| 4 | Other defects | 5.2% | 3,779 |
| 5 | Lighting & signalling | 2.8% | 2,020 |
| 6 | Visibility | 1.8% | 1,284 |
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 | 38,172 | 4.8% |
| 30-60k | 27,785 | 11.8% |
| 60-90k | 5,474 | 18.0% |
| 90-120k | 727 | 20.9% |
| 120-150k | 123 | 22.8% |
| 150k+ | 49 | 28.6% |
Failure rate by age
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13,999 | 5.0% |
| 2022 | 14,240 | 6.8% |
| 2023 | 14,562 | 8.8% |
| 2024 | 14,616 | 10.6% |
| 2025 | 14,915 | 12.0% |
What to check before buying a 2017 Ka +
Before buying a 2017 Ford Ka +, focus on the areas it most often fails on. Lighting & signalling accounted for 5.6% of tests for this year.
- Lighting & signalling (5.6% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Tyres (3.4% 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 (2.2% 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 2017 Ford Ka +s pass their MOT?
91.3% of the 72,332 2017 Ford Ka + MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 8.7% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2017 Ford Ka +?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 5.6% of tests, followed by tyres (3.4%).
Does the 2017 Ka + get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 4.8% in the 0-30k band to 28.6% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 72,332 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-01. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.