Ford KA for the OH

[iAlex]

OH has her heart set on a KA and I promised we'd go and look at one she'd found on Auto Trader tomorrow.

I'm not sure which one it is exactly but from her description it's this one I would imagine...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

She wants to buy tomorrow. I've had no time to prepare - I quite like doing a bit of due diligence prior but we're going tomorrow at 11am.

Things to look out for on a Ford KA? I have my head screwed on so won't let her buy a nail but is there anything I need to look out for that us particular to the KA of this age/mileage?

Advice appreciated, I've had a few beers and I want to make sure I don't cock up her birthday present! !

[bazking69]

As with any Ford, rust.

Apart for that, and the usual checks, they are cheap and generally reliable motoring.

[kiethton]

Rust (but looking at the age i don't think it will be applicable)

Other than that previous accident damage (often first cars for younger drivers ) so pannel gaps, paint match etc. A HPI check is a must.

Also check to make sure it has been serviced as it should have been, again many younger drivers don't service cars as regularly as they should do.

[Huntsman]

Check the heating goes on and off, its an easy enough fix.

Check the PAS carefully, can get really notchy when the UJ on the column starts to fail, and they suffer water ingress into the PAS fluid so check the colour of that, should be red.

Rust.

[Si_steve]

Pretty basic cars which means not a lot go wrong. If its the same 1.3 as the ones at college then its the old Xflow descendent which is pretty much bulletproof (OHV design fully cast iron). Rust, fords are terrible for it but on the most part Ka's are pretty robust.

[GingerWizard]

ok the only thing you really need to worry about is the power steering. If it whines on full lock and from lock to lock after driving walk away.

Service history (some is important, dealer is not so important).

Oil changes, brakes and tyres..... if its had them then sorted.

I owend one for a few years.... see my profile...

[AndrewW-G]

What on earth is an indoor preperation area? . . . . or is that the current term for lock up or hand car wash?

[iAlex]

I knew I could rely on you guys!

She's looked at all sorts and of course I have tried to get her into an early MX5 but with a budget of less than £2k there really isn't much we can look at.

She's 22 (no pictures) and passed her test about 18 months ago but hasn't driven since. I had a Focus as my first car and it was pretty much bulletproof so the KA was a natural choice for small, reliable, scrape-on-a-wall motoring.

I'm just worried I'd miss something and end up getting her a nail.

I'm planning on going in there with a hard-ball attitude and a take it or leave it approach to buying it as I've spotted a nice luxury KA in black from a private seller I'd quite like to look at but you know how it is with a young girl and the 'i want' attitude so quite happy to go with this if it looks decent enough.

In terms of price, does it look OK?

Take into account I've had a few beers and I'm likely going to be dragged there at first opportunity tomorrow without having done much research, what should I be offering should all check out?

[iAlex]

AndrewW-G said:

What on earth is an indoor preperation area? . . . . or is that the current term for lock up or hand car wash?

I thought that... and I'm not 100% that this is the one she's looking at, all I know is that its silver, somewhere 'along the dock road' and a trade seller.

Andrew, if you're free tomorrow and want to earn a bottle of your choice, feel free to accompany...

[bazking69]

Just buy on condition. Plenty about, so walk away if you aren't 100% happy.

My old gal has had one as a shopping for a couple of years now. It has never gone wrong and apart from tyres and a brake flexi for the last MOT hasn't needed a penny spending on it and still looks new.

[AndrewW-G]

My guess is you'll go and see it and it will be a home trader (nothing wrong with that) but as the advert only has a mobile phone number, I'd suggest that it is likely that you would get very little in the way of after sales care, if something goes wrong . . . . . . besides which, who would get a bog standard one over one with a few more creature comforts.

There are plenty of ways to turn her off the silver car before you get to see it . . . .

[doug1e1972]

front wishbone bushs are prone to fail not expensive to fix
rust around the petrol cap
steering rack prone to failure
engines generaly good if the revs start to float its prob a airflow meter
but get one and you/your other half will love it like its a member of the family

[iAlex]

Thanks. Puts my mind at ease.

I'm a proper fan of Ford, with their smaller cars anyway. Bro had a nice little Fiesta, I had the Focus, and I've driven a few KAs the the little 1.3 seems to be a decent engine. Sharp little cars which remind me of go karts.

It's easy enough to give advice on these forums based on having driven cars and I've done it plenty of times. Different when it's your money and you want to see the OH happy and care free and enjoying her little car.

[AndrewW-G]

iAlex said:

AndrewW-G said:

What on earth is an indoor preperation area? . . . . or is that the current term for lock up or hand car wash?

I thought that... and I'm not 100% that this is the one she's looking at, all I know is that its silver, somewhere 'along the dock road' and a trade seller.

Andrew, if you're free tomorrow and want to earn a bottle of your choice, feel free to accompany...

Have somebody here at 10.30, but otherwise happy to help an hour or so later, if you want to take her over, I'll happily make a trip with you later and rip it apart if there's anything wrong with it

[3sixty]

We got one a few months ago for my OH wjo just passed.

Check for rust on sills, petrol filler cap and rear wiper.

They are decent little cars, I even like chucking it around

[iAlex]

AndrewW-G said:

iAlex said:

AndrewW-G said:

What on earth is an indoor preperation area? . . . . or is that the current term for lock up or hand car wash?

I thought that... and I'm not 100% that this is the one she's looking at, all I know is that its silver, somewhere 'along the dock road' and a trade seller.

Andrew, if you're free tomorrow and want to earn a bottle of your choice, feel free to accompany...

Have somebody here at 10.30, but otherwise happy to help an hour or so later, if you want to take her over, I'll happily make a trip with you later and rip it apart if there's anything wrong with it

Can you PM me your number mate? I will give you a text with mine and we can organise something? If you're OK and free obviously, would be good to have someone who knows what they are talking about?

[iAlex]

3sixty said:

We got one a few months ago for my OH wjo just passed.

I sat here in silence after reading that until I realise you meant 'passed her test'.

[tonys]

I don't profess to know much about KAs, but I do remember reading that the plugs have been known to rust and seize in the head (presumably if they haven't been checked or changed regularly). Seem to recall this might have related to the early engine versions, but can't help with specifics re dates etc.

[Rob_F]

Brilliant cars, absolutely brilliant. Rust is the killer, the rest of it is pretty darn strong in my experience.

[iAlex]

Rob_F said:

Brilliant cars, absolutely brilliant. Rust is the killer, the rest of it is pretty darn strong in my experience.

Cheers Rob, just as I thought (and hoped).