Ford Ka (2001)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 868 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,353

£196/month

MOT Pass Rate

64%

Below Avg

Road Tax

£200

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1299cc Petrol

Proceed With Caution

64% pass rate, £2,353/year to run. 18 points below average.

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Petrol1299cc25 years old868 tests52k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1299cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

Higher estimate due to low pass rate

£700

Total per year£2,353

Per month£196/mo

Per week£45/wk

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), petrol at 174.57p a litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026), GOV.UK road tax rates and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

Reliability Verdict

64% MOT pass rate(Below Avg)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. That's 18 points below the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Ford brand average of 85%.

64% of MOT tests on Ford Kas from 2001 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 23 years old. That's based on 868 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 52,111 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2001 models317th of 350(bottom 10%)

Rank among Ford models1111th of 1,136(bottom 3%)

vs average of all models-18%(82% avg)

vs 2001 models average-9%(73% avg)

vs Ford average-21%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

52,111

Average miles

170,200

Expected for age

The average 2001 Ford Ka had 52,111 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is significantly below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-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?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 model has the highest MOT pass rate at 92%, while the 1999 model has the lowest at 62%. The 2001 scores 64%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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

Ford Fiesta

2003 · 1388cc Petrol

£2,153/year

71%

+7%

MINI

2003 · 1598cc Petrol

£2,228/year

72%

+8%

Ford Focus

2003 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,428/year

68%

+4%

Volkswagen Polo

2003 · 1400cc Petrol

£2,353/year

67%

+3%

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About the 2001 Ford Ka

The 2001 Ford Ka is a small family car. Our records list a 1299cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 868 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it a less common model in the UK market. It sits in the bottom 10% of 2001 models for MOT pass rate.

With an average of 52,111 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, 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.

2001 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 £1,398 per year with petrol at 174.57p per litre (GOV.UK weekly average, week of 19 October 2026; based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 2001 Ford Ka?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,353 (£196/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £700 predicted repairs. The higher repair estimate reflects the 64% MOT pass rate. Cars in this bracket tend to need work on suspension, brakes, and emissions components.

Ford Ka Reliability Trend

Newer Ford Kas pass their MOT more often than older ones, by 14 percentage points on average, which is mostly down to age and wear.

Buying a Used 2001 Ford Ka

At 25 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

These are typical issues for cars of this age, fuel type and engine size, not faults recorded on this model's MOT tests. Use them as a checklist when you view one.

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 64% 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 2001 Ford Ka stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

Car	Pass Rate	Fuel/yr	Tax/yr	Est. Ins. Group	Total/yr
Ford Ka(2001)	64%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,353
Ford Fiesta(2003)	71%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153-£200
MINI(2003)	72%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228-£125
Ford Focus(2003)	68%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,428+£75
Volkswagen Polo(2003)	67%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,353same

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, GOV.UK average pump prices for the week of 19 October 2026, GOV.UK road tax rates and MOT data. Insurance groups are our rough estimate from engine size, not official groups. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

Questions about the 2001 Ford Ka

Is the 2001 Ford Ka reliable?

Below average reliability. Budget extra for maintenance and repairs. 64% of MOT tests on 2001 Ford Kas ended in a pass, from 868 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 18 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2001 Ford Ka cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,353 a year (£196 a month): £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £700 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2001 Ford Ka?

64% of 868 MOT tests on the 2001 Ford Ka ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 317th of 350 models first registered in 2001 (bottom 10%).

Which year Ford Ka has the best MOT pass rate?

Of the years with at least 100 tests, the 2019 Ford Ka has the highest MOT pass rate at 92% and the 1999 the lowest at 62%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger and have done fewer miles.

What is the average mileage for a 2001 Ford Ka?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2001 Ford Ka is 52,111 miles, which is significantly below the expected 170,200 miles for a 23-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.