CarCostCheck

Ford Ka (2013)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 32,112 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,900

£158/month

MOT Pass Rate

79%

Average

Road Tax

£170

Estimated/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1200cc Petrol

Check Carefully

79% pass rate, £1,900/year to run. Close to the average across all models.

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Petrol1200cc13 years old32,112 tests60k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1200cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175
Road Tax

Estimated CO2 band

£170
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£1,900
Per month£158/mo
Per week£37/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

79% 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%.

79% of MOT tests on Ford Kas from 2013 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 11 years old. That's based on 32,112 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 59,926 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2013 models398th of 588(bottom half)
Rank among Ford models814th of 1,136(bottom half)
vs average of all models-3%(82% avg)
vs 2013 models average-1%(80% avg)
vs Ford average-6%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

59,926

Average miles

vs

81,400

Expected for age

The average 2013 Ford Ka had 59,926 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 81,400 miles for a 11-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 2013 scores 79%. Newer cars usually pass more often simply because they are younger, so compare years of a similar age.

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 2013 Ford Ka

The 2013 Ford Ka is a city car. Our records list a 1200cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 32,112 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 2013, the average MOT pass rate is 80%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 59,926 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Ford Ka owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2013 Ford Ka Fuel Costs

The modest 1200cc petrol engine keeps fuel costs low, which is a real advantage for a city car. Expect around 50 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,175 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 2013 Ford Ka?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,900 (£158/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £170 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 79% 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 2013 Ford Ka

At 13 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 32,112 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.

Coil Pack Failure

Medium risk

Smaller petrol engines are prone to ignition coil failures, causing misfires and rough running. Replacement is £50-£150 per coil.

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 2013 Ford Ka stacks up against similar cars for estimated annual running costs, insurance group, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrEst. Ins. GroupTotal/yr
Ford Ka(2013)79%£1,175£170Grp 5-15£1,900
Ford Fiesta(2015)81%£1,175£20Grp 1-8£1,600-£300
Vauxhall Corsa(2015)78%£1,398£200Grp 8-20£2,153+£253
Ford Focus(2013)78%£1,398£275Grp 12-25£2,228+£328
Nissan Qashqai(2015)81%£1,398£200Grp 8-20£2,003+£103

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 2013 Ford Ka

Is the 2013 Ford Ka reliable?

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. 79% of MOT tests on 2013 Ford Kas ended in a pass, from 32,112 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 3 points below the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2013 Ford Ka cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,900 a year (£158 a month): £1,175 fuel, £170 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 2013 Ford Ka?

79% of 32,112 MOT tests on the 2013 Ford Ka ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 398th of 588 models first registered in 2013 (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 2013 Ford Ka?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2013 Ford Ka is 59,926 miles, which is below the expected 81,400 miles for a 11-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.

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Related Guides

In-depth articles relevant to the Ford Ka.

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