Ford Ka (2012)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 30,280 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£2,153

£179/month

MOT Pass Rate

77%

Average

Road Tax

£200

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 8-20

1242cc Petrol

Check Carefully

77% pass rate, £2,153/year to run. 5 points below average.

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Petrol1242cc14 years old30,280 tests65k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1242cc)

~42 mpg

£1,398

Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£500

Total per year£2,153

Per month£179/mo

Per week£41/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

77% MOT pass rate(Average)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's close to the average of 82% across all models in our data. It falls below the Ford brand average of 85%.

77% of MOT tests on Ford Kas from 2012 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 12 years old. That's based on 30,280 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 64,612 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2012 models452nd of 650(bottom half)

Rank among Ford models850th of 1,136(bottom half)

vs average of all models-5%(82% avg)

vs 2012 models average-1%(78% avg)

vs Ford average-8%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

64,612

Average miles

88,800

Expected for age

The average 2012 Ford Ka had 64,612 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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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 2012 scores 77%. 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

2014 · 998cc Petrol

£1,750/year

79%

+2%

Vauxhall Corsa

2014 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

76%

-1%

Ford Focus

2013 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,228/year

78%

+1%

Nissan Qashqai

2013 · 1600cc Petrol

£2,228/year

72%

-5%

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About the 2012 Ford Ka

The 2012 Ford Ka is a small family car. Our records list a 1242cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 30,280 MOT tests were recorded on this model in 2024, making it one of the most commonly tested models on UK roads. Among all models from 2012, the average MOT pass rate is 78%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 64,612 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Ford Ka owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2012 Ford Ka Fuel Costs

The 1242cc 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 2012 Ford Ka?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,153 (£179/month), broken down as £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 77% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

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 2012 Ford Ka

At 14 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%. With 30,280 MOT tests in our data, there's strong statistical confidence in these figures.

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.

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 2012 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(2012)	77%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153
Ford Fiesta(2014)	79%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,750-£403
Vauxhall Corsa(2014)	76%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153same
Ford Focus(2013)	78%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£75
Nissan Qashqai(2013)	72%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,228+£75

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 2012 Ford Ka

Is the 2012 Ford Ka reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 77% of MOT tests on 2012 Ford Kas ended in a pass, from 30,280 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 5 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2012 Ford Ka cost to run?

Our estimate is £2,153 a year (£179 a month): £1,398 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £500 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2012 Ford Ka?

77% of 30,280 MOT tests on the 2012 Ford Ka ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 452nd of 650 models first registered in 2012 (bottom half).

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 2012 Ford Ka?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2012 Ford Ka is 64,612 miles, which is below the expected 88,800 miles for a 12-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.