Buying a Ford Ka - what to look for?
Discussion
If you're looking at an "Endura E" pushrod engine'd Ka, make sure the spark plugs will come out. The service interval for them is 30k miles and due to the design of the front of the car, road salt will get to them, corroding them in solid, meaning they snap off when you come to undo them. Getting the bit of spark plug out of the head is a head-off job, which is very little fun. (or rather expensive)
When I went to my local engine machining shop after shearing off all 4 plugs in my ex's Ka, and enquired "I've got a car with 4 sheared off spark-plugs..." the reply was "Ford KA is it?" Bit of a known problem.
If they do come out, coppergrease the threads, and make sure you remove them and re-coppergrease at every single service.
When I went to my local engine machining shop after shearing off all 4 plugs in my ex's Ka, and enquired "I've got a car with 4 sheared off spark-plugs..." the reply was "Ford KA is it?" Bit of a known problem.
If they do come out, coppergrease the threads, and make sure you remove them and re-coppergrease at every single service.
V8S said:
If only 'twer that simple. I'm asking on behalf of my g/f's work mate and neither of us have a say in the matter. So we need to make sure she gets a good one even if it is one of the ugliest cars on the road.
in that case, echo the comment on the steering rack and brakes - friend had 2 of them (despite my input 
) and had problems with both on both.fastandfurryous said:
When I went to my local engine machining shop after shearing off all 4 plugs in my ex's Ka, and enquired "I've got a car with 4 sheared off spark-plugs..." the reply was "Ford KA is it?" Bit of a known problem.
Thats a co-incidence, I had the same problem with my ex's ka too. Only one sheared though so I managed to bodge it, by smashing all the ceramic out, hammering a slightly too big torx bit into the hole and backing it out with that.. turned it over with no plug in to fire all the little bits of ceramic out of the pot and jobs a good 'un 
My G/F has an '03 Ka Collection
Check the front suspension:
Top suspension mounts go (sometimes after 1000 miles!) If it creaks over speed bumps then they're shot.
Steering racks can have problems - jack it up and see if there's play in the front wheels - you can replace the 'drumstick' either side but it's work.
Lower suspension bushes go.
Thermostats can be troublesome. G/F's went after 25000 miles and only a OE Ford part cured it...
Also, check the headlining. If it's green around the top of the screen then it's leaked. Also quite common I'm told!
That's about all. Good car, if a little fragile considering how 'new' it is. Great fun though - it's like a little go-kart
Check the front suspension:
Top suspension mounts go (sometimes after 1000 miles!) If it creaks over speed bumps then they're shot.
Steering racks can have problems - jack it up and see if there's play in the front wheels - you can replace the 'drumstick' either side but it's work.
Lower suspension bushes go.
Thermostats can be troublesome. G/F's went after 25000 miles and only a OE Ford part cured it...
Also, check the headlining. If it's green around the top of the screen then it's leaked. Also quite common I'm told!
That's about all. Good car, if a little fragile considering how 'new' it is. Great fun though - it's like a little go-kart
Just a moment to put a positive spin on the humble Ka - mines done 110k miles in the last 8 years. It's been a solid little car that has got me >40mpg and <£200 per service.
It's been maintained as per the service schedule and has had no steering rack issues, plug issues, damp carpets etc. What it does have is mostly cosmetic issues - rust on seams, and window fixings (but as pointed out above this is purely cosmetic), faded ford badges (why do they do this?!), the steering wheel has sort of melted (the leather effect stuff), carpets worn out, air con stopped working ages ago.
The engine seems to be bullet proof, but i guess it gets used in a fairly optimal 25mile motorway journey morning and evening.
I speak up for the Ka quite a lot as it has done me well these last eight years. The end is nigh for her though - terminal rust on the A-pillar from an overlook stone chip.
It's been maintained as per the service schedule and has had no steering rack issues, plug issues, damp carpets etc. What it does have is mostly cosmetic issues - rust on seams, and window fixings (but as pointed out above this is purely cosmetic), faded ford badges (why do they do this?!), the steering wheel has sort of melted (the leather effect stuff), carpets worn out, air con stopped working ages ago.
The engine seems to be bullet proof, but i guess it gets used in a fairly optimal 25mile motorway journey morning and evening.
I speak up for the Ka quite a lot as it has done me well these last eight years. The end is nigh for her though - terminal rust on the A-pillar from an overlook stone chip.
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