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Should you buy a used Ford Ka Mk1?

Yes, if you want an involving, retro driving experience and a future classic car to either look back on having enjoyed before they were all gone, or to maintain for when they’re worth money. There are much better ‘cars’ for the money, though, even at the bottom of the market.

If you’re considering a SportKa, then really, you should get it now. Fast Fords, even the ones that aren’t that fast, have a special place in the hearts of British drivers and the SportKa combines cheeky, nimble handling (it’s not quick, as such, but it’s roughly 40% faster than a regular Ka) with an affordable, city-friendly nature that’s no less practical than the regular Ka.

However, all Ford Ka Mk1s suffer terribly from rust. If it hasn’t taken hold yet, it will, and it’s down to your patience, wallet and skill as to how much time you want to spend fighting it. In real terms if you find a good one and don’t drive it on salted roads, that’s not too big a challenge, but in coastal and northern/border areas beware salt and bodges.

For drivers just looking for a cheap small car, we’d really recommend choosing the Ka Mk2, or Ford Fiesta. If you can find one, the Ford Puma coupe can be just as affordable now, and is arguably worth putting more investment into maintaining.

What we like

Simplicity, purity and a new era of design for Ford; the Ka’s based on the Fiesta Mk3 which moved Ford into a different league of quality and handling for small cars, and it’s both interesting and clever, yet the mechanical bits wouldn’t be out of place two decades earlier. A great modern classic and first car for budding petrolheads, amateur racers and fans of ’90s design.

What we don’t like

Rust. Ford didn’t really bother making cars last until relatively recently, so the easy maintenance is set against a constant battle to keep an older one free of corrosion. If we’re being picky, the move to painted bumpers on later cars spoils some of the no-nonsense city car aesthetic, too, but the 1.3 Duratec is worth it.