Ford Ka (2017)

Estimated running costs and MOT pass rates from 19,894 MOT tests in 2024.

Annual Cost

£1,780

£148/month

MOT Pass Rate

89%

Good

Road Tax

£200

Standard rate/year

Est. Insurance

Grp 5-15

1198cc Petrol

Solid Option

89% pass rate, £1,780/year to run. 7 points above average.

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Petrol1198cc9 years old19,894 tests38k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1198cc)

~50 mpg

£1,175

Road Tax

Standard rate (from April 2017)

£200

MOT Test

£55

Predicted Repairs

£350

Total per year£1,780

Per month£148/mo

Per week£34/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. Cars registered from April 2017 pay the £200 standard rate, plus £440 a year for five years (from the second year) if they cost over £40,000 new (over £50,000 for electric cars).

Reliability Verdict

89% MOT pass rate(Good)

0%All-model avg: 82%100%

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in our data. It also outperforms the Ford brand average of 85%.

89% of MOT tests on Ford Kas from 2017 ended in a pass in 2024, when they were about 7 years old. That's based on 19,894 tests across the UK, retests included. The average mileage recorded at those tests was 37,584 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 2017 models242nd of 540(top half)

Rank among Ford models475th of 1,136(top half)

vs average of all models+7%(82% avg)

vs 2017 models average+2%(87% avg)

vs Ford average+4%(85% avg)

Mileage Analysis

37,584

Average miles

51,800

Expected for age

The average 2017 Ford Ka had 37,584 miles on the clock at its 2024 MOT, which is below the expected 51,800 miles for a 7-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 2017 scores 89%. 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

2015 · 998cc Petrol

£1,600/year

81%

-8%

Vauxhall Corsa

2015 · 1398cc Petrol

£2,153/year

78%

-11%

Ford Focus

2015 · 1596cc Petrol

£2,078/year

85%

-4%

Nissan Qashqai

2017 · 1200cc Petrol

£1,780/year

86%

-3%

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About the 2017 Ford Ka

The 2017 Ford Ka is a city car. Our records list a 1198cc petrol engine, though engines vary between versions. 19,894 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 2017, the average MOT pass rate is 87%, and this model beats that benchmark.

With an average of 37,584 miles recorded at its 2024 MOT tests, Ford Ka owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver.

2017 Ford Ka Fuel Costs

The modest 1198cc 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 2017 Ford Ka?

Total estimated annual running cost is £1,780 (£148/month), broken down as £1,175 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT, and £350 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 89% 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 2017 Ford Ka

At 9 years old, this is a solid used buy if you find one with good service history. Depreciation has levelled off, so you won't lose much more value. Focus on condition over mileage. If you're flexible on year, the 2019 model has the highest pass rate at 92%. With 19,894 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.

Suspension Wear

Medium risk

Shock absorbers, springs, and anti-roll bar links typically need attention around this age. Listen for clunks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear.

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 2017 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(2017)	89%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780
Ford Fiesta(2015)	81%	£1,175	£20	Grp 1-8	£1,600-£180
Vauxhall Corsa(2015)	78%	£1,398	£200	Grp 8-20	£2,153+£373
Ford Focus(2015)	85%	£1,398	£275	Grp 12-25	£2,078+£298
Nissan Qashqai(2017)	86%	£1,175	£200	Grp 5-15	£1,780same

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 2017 Ford Ka

Is the 2017 Ford Ka reliable?

Good reliability. Occasional issues but generally solid. 89% of MOT tests on 2017 Ford Kas ended in a pass, from 19,894 tests (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That's 7 points above the average of 82% across all models in the same data.

How much does a 2017 Ford Ka cost to run?

Our estimate is £1,780 a year (£148 a month): £1,175 fuel, £200 road tax, £55 MOT and £350 predicted repairs, based on 7,400 miles a year. Insurance is not included.

What is the MOT pass rate for a 2017 Ford Ka?

89% of 19,894 MOT tests on the 2017 Ford Ka ended in a pass (DVSA MOT data for tests in 2024, retests included). That ranks it 242nd of 540 models first registered in 2017 (top 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 2017 Ford Ka?

The average mileage recorded at MOT tests on the 2017 Ford Ka is 37,584 miles, which is below the expected 51,800 miles for a 7-year-old car. This suggests lighter use than average, which generally means less wear on major components.