Ford Ka (96-08) - Review

Review by Parkers on
Last Updated: 30 July 2008
The Ford Ka may not be the newest small car on the market but it still has plenty to offer. Cheap to buy and run, it's once unusual styling has stood the test of time well and it's great fun to drive - especially the peppy SportKa version. It's fairly spacious too given it's small dimensions but the cabin is starting to look dated, especially with large amounts of exposed metal on show. The 1.3-litre engine in the standard Ka is fine around town but noisy at higher speeds and the Ford lacks the refinement of newer small hatchbacks.
3.5 out of 5

Other Ford reviews

2 out of 5

Safety

Only the driver gets an airbag as standard across the range, as passenger and side airbags are optional on lower spec models. Security is largely left to the immobiliser although some models do get deadlocks. The mediocre three-star Euro NCAP safety rating highlights the Ka’s slightly soft bodywork - which dents reasonably easily - though the large plastic bumpers do fair a little better in collisions.

NCAP Test

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Provides motoring consumers with a realistic and independent assessment of the safety performance of some of the most popular cars sold in Europe.

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  • Adult Occupant Rating

    3 out of 5

  • Pedestrian Test Rating

    1 out of 5
3.5 out of 5

Reliability

It's been around for a while now and the Ka has generally been mechanically reliable with problems usually confined to minor niggles. Repairs are reasonably cheap, while parts are readily available and straightforward to fit.

Car check problem points

Body

Check for parking damage and loose end sections on bumpers.

Engine/Gearbox

Tappets are adjustable and can work loose resulting in a noisy engine.

Other

Bearing cap at the top of the suspension strut can perish. Erratic fuel gauge, faulty steering rack and water leaks (door and windscreen seals).

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