Is the 1997 FORD KA reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 72% of FORD KAs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026, based on 155 tests. That's 10 points below the national average of 82%.

How much does a 1997 FORD KA cost to run?

Estimated annual running cost is £1,887 (£157/month), including £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1997 FORD KA?

The 1997 FORD KA has a 72% MOT pass rate based on 155 tests in 2026. This ranks 206 out of 320 cars from 1997.

Which year FORD KA is most reliable?

The 2019 FORD KA has the highest MOT pass rate at 92%. The least reliable year is 1999 at 62%.

FORD KA (1997)

Q: What is the average mileage for a 1997 FORD KA?

The average mileage for a 1997 FORD KA is 46,789 miles, which is significantly below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 155 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£1,887

£157/month

MOT Pass Rate

72%

Average

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1299cc Petrol

Check Carefully

72% pass rate, £1887/year to run. 10 points below average.

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Petrol1299cc29 years old155 tests47k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1299cc)

~42 mpg

£1,137

Road Tax

Based on 1299cc

£195

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£500

Total per year£1,887

Per month£157/mo

Per week£36/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

72% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 10 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the FORD brand average of 85%.

At 29 years old, 72% of FORD KAs from 1997 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 155 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 46,789 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1997 cars206th of 320(top 64%)

Rank among FORD models1005th of 1,167(top 86%)

vs national average-10%(82% avg)

vs 1997 cars average-3%(75% avg)

vs FORD average-13%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

46,789

Average miles

214,600

Expected for age

The average 1997 FORD KA has 46,789 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 214,600 miles for a 29-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 2019 model with a 92% MOT pass rate, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 62%. The 1997 sits between the two at 72%.

FORD KA by Year

Year	Pass Rate	Tests	Avg Mileage
2019	92%	14,840	26,387 mi
2018	88%	16,844	32,597 mi
2017	89%	19,894	37,584 mi
2016	83%	13,958	42,904 mi
2015	81%	22,499	47,390 mi
2014	81%	31,485	53,659 mi
2013	79%	32,112	59,926 mi
2012	77%	30,280	64,612 mi
2011	76%	29,810	70,554 mi
2010	73%	34,853	75,495 mi
2009	72%	34,947	78,404 mi
2008	63%	9,719	56,797 mi
2007	64%	7,814	56,265 mi
2006	64%	5,377	54,905 mi
2005	64%	4,536	53,788 mi
2004	64%	3,764	55,570 mi
2003	66%	2,733	57,298 mi
2002	63%	1,635	50,236 mi
2001	64%	868	52,111 mi
2000	69%	392	47,147 mi
1999	62%	447	48,623 mi
1998	71%	269	47,606 mi
1997	72%	155	46,789 mi

Similar Cars to Consider

MAZDA MX-5

1999 · 1600cc Petrol

£1,827/year

73%

+1%

VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

1999 · 1781cc Petrol

£2,017/year

71%

-1%

VAUXHALL CORSA

1999 · 1199cc Petrol

£1,390/year

89%

+17%

NISSAN MICRA

1999 · 1298cc Petrol

£1,722/year

70%

-2%

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About the 1997 FORD KA

The 1997 FORD KA is a small family car with a 1299cc petrol engine. 155 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1997, the average MOT pass rate is 75%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 46,789 miles at 29 years old, FORD KA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1997 FORD KA Fuel Costs

The 1299cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 42 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,137 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1997 FORD KA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,887 (£157/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 72% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

FORD KA Reliability Trend

Newer FORD KAs show better MOT pass rates than older ones, with an average improvement of 14 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1997 FORD KA

At 29 years old, the FORD KA is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 92%.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1997 FORD KA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1997 FORD KA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Insurance	Total/yr
FORD KA(1997)	72%	£1137	£195	Grp 8-20	£1887
MAZDA MX-5(1999)	73%	£1137	£135	Grp 12-25	£1827-£60
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)	71%	£1327	£135	Grp 18-32	£2017+£130
VAUXHALL CORSA(1999)	89%	£955	£30	Grp 5-15	£1390-£497
NISSAN MICRA(1999)	70%	£1137	£30	Grp 8-20	£1722-£165

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.