Car statistics
How many Ford Kas are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 169,345 DVSA MOT tests.
There were 152,598 Ford Kas licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 27,773 declared off the road (SORN). That is 66.2% fewer than the peak of 451,852 in 2009.
Numbers peaked in 2009 and have fallen every year since, as older cars are scrapped faster than new ones are registered.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 2,486 |
| 1997 | 29,893 |
| 1998 | 64,023 |
| 1999 | 105,114 |
| 2000 | 151,090 |
| 2001 | 204,736 |
| 2002 | 266,655 |
| 2003 | 314,947 |
| 2004 | 358,821 |
| 2005 | 392,369 |
| 2006 | 412,183 |
| 2007 | 431,222 |
| 2008 | 448,608 |
| 2009 | 451,852 |
| 2010 | 451,797 |
| 2011 | 442,063 |
| 2012 | 427,810 |
| 2013 | 407,017 |
| 2014 | 374,991 |
| 2015 | 340,259 |
| 2016 | 303,811 |
| 2017 | 273,341 |
| 2018 | 248,444 |
| 2019 | 231,443 |
| 2020 | 210,552 |
| 2021 | 195,100 |
| 2022 | 184,030 |
| 2023 | 174,935 |
| 2024 | 165,047 |
| 2025 | 155,549 |
| 2026 | 152,598 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
2 versions of the Ford Ka have their own page. The figures above include every version; each version page covers only the cars DVLA records under that version’s name.
| Version | Licensed | SORN |
|---|---|---|
| Ford Ka Style Plus | 3,340 | 246 |
| Ford Ka Tattoo | 95 | 8 |
In 2025, 66.3% of Ford Ka MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Ford Kas tested pass 67.8% of the time, so the Ford Ka does worse than average for its age, by 1.5 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 66.8%.
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | Ford Ka | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 4–5 years | 89.0% | 87.6% |
| 6–7 years | 82.9% | 83.0% |
| 8–10 years | 74.0% | 75.7% |
| 11–14 years | 65.3% | 65.5% |
| 15–19 years | 54.9% | 58.0% |
| 20+ years | 51.7% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Suspension is the most common reason a Ford Ka fails its MOT, appearing on 45.4% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 8.3% of Ford Ka tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 45.4% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 36.5% |
| Brakes | 22.7% |
| Tyres | 18.2% |
| Visibility | 15.5% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 13.1% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 10.4% |
| Steering | 5.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The single most common reason a Ford Ka failed its MOT in 2025 was “Stop lamp: not working”, on 9.8% of 57,030 failed tests. 62.0% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Stop lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 9.8% |
| Shock absorbers: serious fluid leak Suspension | 9.7% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush excessively worn Suspension | 8.9% |
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 8.4% |
| Suspension arms: ball joint excessively worn Suspension | 8.0% |
| Shock absorbers: excessively worn bush Suspension | 7.1% |
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 7.0% |
| Wipers: does not clear the windscreen effectively Visibility | 6.8% |
| Parking brake efficiency below requirements Brakes | 6.6% |
| Exhaust system: major leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure | 6.1% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 18.4% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 11.8% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 10.9% |
| Coil spring: corroded Suspension | 10.6% |
| Exhaust system: minor leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure | 8.8% |
| Shock absorbers: light misting of oil Suspension | 8.5% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 6.5% |
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.3% |
| Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes | 5.7% |
| Sub-frame: corroded but not seriously weakened Suspension | 5.5% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
18 years of the Ford Ka, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2017 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (81.0% passed first time) and the 2002 cars worst (50.2%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | – | 3,940 | 50.2% |
| 2003 | – | 3,554 | 50.2% |
| 2004 | – | 3,413 | 50.4% |
| 2005 | – | 2,891 | 53.4% |
| 2006 | – | 3,053 | 50.4% |
| 2007 | – | 3,818 | 50.1% |
| 2008 | – | 4,296 | 50.0% |
| 2009 | – | 14,923 | 55.6% |
| 2010 | – | 16,231 | 56.3% |
| 2011 | – | 14,162 | 61.4% |
| 2012 | – | 15,716 | 64.3% |
| 2013 | – | 17,687 | 66.0% |
| 2014 | 19,154 | 17,751 | 69.0% |
| 2015 | 13,341 | 12,662 | 68.4% |
| 2016 | 8,454 | 8,120 | 72.0% |
| 2017 | 13,509 | 13,219 | 81.0% |
| 2018 | 11,197 | 10,884 | 79.9% |
| 2019 | 10,241 | 10,007 | 86.2% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered (these counts start in 2014, so older years show a dash). Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
The average Ford Ka covers 4,562 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 4–5 years | 5,751 |
| 6–7 years | 5,339 |
| 8–10 years | 4,862 |
| 11–14 years | 4,498 |
| 15–19 years | 4,218 |
| 20+ years | 2,643 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Registrations of Ford Kas for the first time in Great Britain peaked at 65,677 in 2002. In 2025, 2 were registered. With almost none registered new, the number on the road is likely to keep falling.
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 55,484 |
| ’02 | 65,677 |
| ’03 | 53,516 |
| ’04 | 45,441 |
| ’05 | 34,878 |
| ’06 | 27,180 |
| ’07 | 26,426 |
| ’08 | 25,192 |
| ’09 | 22,112 |
| ’10 | 21,167 |
| ’11 | 17,434 |
| ’12 | 18,558 |
| ’13 | 19,543 |
| ’14 | 19,049 |
| ’15 | 13,501 |
| ’16 | 8,399 |
| ’17 | 13,387 |
| ’18 | 10,954 |
| ’19 | 9,975 |
| ’20 | 14 |
| ’21 | 1 |
| ’22 | 6 |
| ’23 | 8 |
| ’24 | 4 |
| ’25 | 2 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Of the 158,073 Ford Kas licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 76.7% have an engine of 1,201cc to 1,300cc, and 23.1% have an engine of 1,101cc to 1,200cc. The share with an engine of 1,101cc to 1,200cc has grown from 0.0% in 2014 to 23.1%.
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 1,201cc to 1,300cc 121,295 licensed | 76.7% |
| 1,101cc to 1,200cc 36,511 licensed | 23.1% |
| Other sizes 267 licensed | 0.2% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,201–1,300cc | Petrol | 119,586 | 75.7% |
| 1,101–1,200cc | Petrol | 36,511 | 23.1% |
| 1,201–1,300cc | Diesel | 1,709 | 1.1% |
Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.
| Year | 1,201–1,300cc | 1,101–1,200cc |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 98.2% | 0.0% |
| 2015 | 98.3% | 0.0% |
| 2016 | 97.5% | 0.9% |
| 2017 | 92.9% | 5.9% |
| 2018 | 88.2% | 10.8% |
| 2019 | 83.5% | 15.8% |
| 2020 | 82.3% | 17.1% |
| 2021 | 80.9% | 18.7% |
| 2022 | 80.0% | 19.7% |
| 2023 | 79.0% | 20.7% |
| 2024 | 77.9% | 21.8% |
| 2025 | 76.7% | 23.1% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
Share of those licensed at the end of each year.
| Year | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 99.3% | 0.7% |
| 2015 | 99.2% | 0.8% |
| 2016 | 99.1% | 0.9% |
| 2017 | 99.0% | 1.0% |
| 2018 | 99.0% | 1.0% |
| 2019 | 98.9% | 1.1% |
| 2020 | 98.8% | 1.2% |
| 2021 | 98.8% | 1.2% |
| 2022 | 98.8% | 1.2% |
| 2023 | 98.8% | 1.2% |
| 2024 | 98.8% | 1.2% |
| 2025 | 98.9% | 1.1% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Ford Ka from 2000, when the data begins, to 2020. On the WLTP test (listings 2019 to 2020), official combined fuel economy for its petrol and diesel versions ranges from 43.5 to 60.1 mpg, with CO2 of 123 to 146 g/km. On the older NEDC test (listings 2000 to 2018), official combined fuel economy for its petrol and diesel versions ranges from 37.2 to 76.3 mpg, with CO2 of 99 to 182 g/km.
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 petrol | 43.5–48.7 | 130–146 | 2019–2020 | Euro 6d‑TEMP | 2 |
| 1.5 diesel | 56.5–60.1 | 123–131 | 2019–2020 | Euro 6d‑TEMP | 2 |
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 petrol | 49.6–57.7 | 114–129 | 2009–2018 | Euro 4 to Euro 6d‑TEMP | 17 |
| 1.3 petrol | 41.5–47.9 | 141–165 | 2000–2009 | Euro 2 to Euro 4 | 23 |
| 1.6 petrol | 37.2 | 182 | 2003–2009 | Euro 3 to Euro 4 | 5 |
| 1.2 diesel | 67.3–68.9 | 109–112 | 2009–2015 | Euro 4 to Euro 5 | 8 |
| 1.5 diesel | 68.9–76.3 | 99–108 | 2018 | Euro 6d‑TEMP | 2 |
Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated
DVSA lists 5 safety recalls for the Ford Ka since 1992, the first in 1998. The most recent was launched on 26 July 2019.
All 5 Ford Ka recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Ford Ka. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
| Model | Licensed | Change on a year | SORN | Rank | Main fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Ka | 152,598 | −6.1% | 27,773 | 55 | Petrol |
| Fiat 500 | 423,199 | −2.0% | 12,767 | 12 | Petrol |
| Toyota Aygo | 298,338 | +0.8% | 6,527 | 23 | Petrol |
| Hyundai i10 | 274,746 | +2.1% | 5,271 | 24 | Petrol |
| Kia Picanto | 217,822 | +3.1% | 6,213 | 35 | Petrol |
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 180,371 Ka records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 169,345 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
