Overview

When Ford launched the original Ford Ka, it went on to become a hugely popular model. Cheap-to-run and easy-to-drive, the simple, small car staked a claim to the space just below the Ford Fiesta, in advance of the Fiesta Mk6 getting bigger, more refined and grown up. Bold, concept-car styling with a distinctive gumdrop shape and rugged, plastic arches and bumpers, it was perfect for the iMac generation.

The original Ka lasted from 1996 to 2008 without significant changes, though the range expanded with the hot-hatch SportKa and StreetKa roadster. Time for a safer, more appropriate city car in Ford’s range, something to meet Euro NCAP and emissions standards for the 21st century. The Ka Mk2 launched in 2009 with a range of funky stickers and option packs that were very on-trend, for the time.

Ford discontinued the Ka Mk2 in 2016, and the Ka range in 2019. With plentiful dealers and lots of affordable examples on the market, the Ford Ka is a good choice as a first car.

Introducing the Ford Ka Mk2 – 2009 to 2016

The second-generation Ford Ka is a little more conservative in terms of styling, but it builds on the city-friendly handling and packaging – and still offers a bit of cute personality over the sensible Fiesta. Better comfort, refinement and fuel economy came with a slight price increase, but a used Ford Ka Mk2 is an excellent car for the money.

For owners upgrading, the difference in interior quality and equipment is like moving to a class above, thanks to the well-built and neatly laid out cabin. Like the original, the Ka Mk2 is easy and enjoyable to drive, especially in town, while the supple ride means it’s incredibly comfortable.

Engine choice in the Ka Mk2

Developed alongside the Fiat 500, the 2009-2016 Ford Ka uses a petrol or diesel engine selected from the range used by the Italian hatch. You’ll find a 70hp 1.2-litre petrol, or a 1.3-litre diesel; though they are referred to by familiar Ford names they’re made by Fiat.

As the original Ka only offered one petrol engine, it’s not a surprise that the Mk2’s 1.2-litre is the most popular, but the 75hp diesel’s 67mpg looks good on paper. Both engines emit less than 120g/km of CO2 for Band C VED – appealing if you want a car that’s cheap to tax. All Kas come with a five-speed gearbox with a high mounted gear-lever close to the steering wheel.

Common faults and problems with the Ford Ka Mk2 (2008-2016)

Considering a used Ford Ka Mk2? Read our quick buying guide before looking at cars for sale, to get an idea of what to keep an eye out for, and how much it’s likely to need to keep it on the road. They’re simple cars, so it’s a simple guide.

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1. Ford Ka Mk2 rust and bodywork

Experienced Ford Ka buyers will go straight to looking for rust, but the good news is, the Ford Ka Mk2 shares the same rustproofing as the Fiat 500; some parts are galvanised, and overall a 2008-2016 Ka should be fairly free of rust. Top mounts on the suspension, axle beams and subframes can corrode however, so it’s worth checking underneath and listening for creaks and groans.

As a small, cheap car popular with learners and first-time drivers in cities, the Ford Ka Mk2 has lots of potential for damage, and lots of potential profit for unscrupulous sellers with quick repairs for a fast profit. Take a magnet and check around the wheel arches, the sides and middle of the door, and near the headlights to check it sticks – if it falls off there might be a lot of filler. Look for overspray, poor paint, and misaligned panel gaps. Repaired damage on a cheap car isn’t unacceptable, but make sure what the seller is telling you matches the condition of the car.

Ford offered Digital (above), Tattoo and Grand Prix packs with colourful upgraded interiors and stickers. Make sure all the parts are present, such as the embossed seats of the Tattoo model.

2. Ford Ka Mk2 engine and gearbox – petrol

The 1.2-litre TI-VCT engine is better known as the Fiat FIRE 1.2. It’s an established, proven OHC design, dating back to the 1980s and sold in millions of cars worldwide, and steadily improved. By 2008 it has variable valve timing and multipoint fuel injection. Problems are few and far-between; running issues are more likely to be down to breather hoses, wiring and ECUs than the engine itself

Check the condition of coolant, oil, and the air cleaner plus all the vent pipes and hoses attached to it. The five-speed gearbox has a problem with the clutch release forks on early cars leading to stiff changes and difficulty engaging gear, and neglected or abused examples can get noisy.

3. 1.3 diesel engine and gearbox

The Ford Ka needed a diesel option to remain competitive, but at the time of writing Parkers cars for sale features just a handful of Ford Ka Mk2 diesels, compared with 100s of petrol models. That shows how popular the petrol model is. If you choose the diesel, it’s a Fiat engine again, this time, Multijet, and has nothing in common with other Ford diesels. It was plagued with reliability and quality problems from launch. Issues include oil consumption, emissions-system failure, head gasket failure and stretched timing chains. The Ford Ka+ (Mk3, also known as Ka Plus) is a better option for diesel fans.

Our advice would be to avoid the 2008-2016 Ford Ka diesel outright, but if you have been offered a particularly nice one have it serviced every 6,000 miles and check oil levels regularly. If you can smell diesel in the oil, the engine is heading for a catastrophic failure or big bills preventing it. The gearbox, at least, is much the same as the petrol Ka.

4. Ford Ka Mk2 suspension, brakes and safety

If safety matters to you, the Ford Ka Mk2 is a good choice of small car for the price. It scored four stars in EuroNCAP and it’s worth noting that the Fiat 500 it shares so much with remains on sale until the new 500 range is complete. Suspension should be soft and comfortable, but with plenty of grip, and fitted with good tyres the stability programme (standard on all models) will keep you safe in bends.

Curtain airbags were optional, you may want to seek that out if you carry rear passengers or children often.

When looking at the MoT history, make sure there are receipts for brake work following any relevant advisories. It has drum brakes at the back, which are reliable but need regular cleaning and adjustment to be at their best.

5. ICE, ICE baby – radio and technology for the Ford Ka Mk2

By 2008 even small cars were getting fancy gadgets. You’ll find electronic power steering and a four-speaker radio/CD player with aux input on the basic model, the next level up adds air conditioning, bluetooth and USB, plus remote central locking. The headunits are quite reliable, however upgrades are cheap and easy. You can add aftermarket Apple CarPlay or sat nav if you want. The highest-spec cars have six-speakers, a subwoofer and amplifier which you’ll want to check are working. They can make upgrading harder.

Air conditioning can be neglected, so listen for rumbling from the engine when you switch it on; if it doesn’t come on or cool, it may cost a lot to fix and is hard to DIY.

The higher specification Ford Ka Mk2 included Ford’s Quickclear heated windscreen. This can be hard to check in summer, but if you are buying in cold weather don’t switch the fan on to clear misting. Instead use the heated windscreen, and see how many stripes are left uncleared.

Can I get a Ford Ka automatic?

Ford did not offer the Ka (Mk1 or Mk2) with an automatic gearbox. If you want something like a Ford Ka Mk2 automatic, you will need to look for a Fiat 500 for sale near you to try out, or go a size up for a Ford Fiesta Mk7.

Keep reading to find out how the Ford Ka Mk2 performed as a new car in our review, and our verdict now as a used buy.