CarCostCheck

FORD KA (1999)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 447 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,087

£174/month

MOT Pass Rate

62%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£195

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 8-20

1299cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

62% pass rate, £2087/year to run. 20 points below average.

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Petrol1299cc27 years old447 tests49k 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

£700
Total per year£2,087
Per month£174/mo
Per week£40/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

62% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 20 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the FORD brand average of 85%.

At 27 years old, 62% of FORD KAs from 1999 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 447 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 48,623 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1999 cars354th of 375(top 94%)
Rank among FORD models1147th of 1,167(top 98%)
vs national average-20%(82% avg)
vs 1999 cars average-13%(75% avg)
vs FORD average-23%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

48,623

Average miles

vs

199,800

Expected for age

The average 1999 FORD KA has 48,623 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 199,800 miles for a 27-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%. Consider a different year if reliability is a priority.

FORD KA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
201992%14,84026,387 mi
201888%16,84432,597 mi
201789%19,89437,584 mi
201683%13,95842,904 mi
201581%22,49947,390 mi
201481%31,48553,659 mi
201379%32,11259,926 mi
201277%30,28064,612 mi
201176%29,81070,554 mi
201073%34,85375,495 mi
200972%34,94778,404 mi
200863%9,71956,797 mi
200764%7,81456,265 mi
200664%5,37754,905 mi
200564%4,53653,788 mi
200464%3,76455,570 mi
200366%2,73357,298 mi
200263%1,63550,236 mi
200164%86852,111 mi
200069%39247,147 mi
199962%44748,623 mi
199871%26947,606 mi
199772%15546,789 mi

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About the 1999 FORD KA

The 1999 FORD KA is a small family car with a 1299cc petrol engine. 447 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 94% of 1999 cars for MOT pass rates.

With an average of 48,623 miles at 27 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.

1999 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 1999 FORD KA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,087 174/month), broken down as £1137 fuel, £195 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 62% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

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 1999 FORD KA

At 27 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.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1999 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.

Higher Than Average Failure Rate

Watch out

With a 62% MOT pass rate, this model fails more often than most. Budget for unexpected repairs and get a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

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 1999 FORD KA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
FORD KA(1999)62%£1137£195Grp 8-20£2087
TOYOTA YARIS(2001)71%£1137£30Grp 8-20£1722-£365
FORD FOCUS(2001)68%£1137£135Grp 12-25£2027-£60
MAZDA MX-5(1999)73%£1137£135Grp 12-25£1827-£260
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1999)71%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£70

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.

Related Ford Models

Explore other Ford cars or similar models in the same category.

Related Guides

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