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Ford Ka road test reports and car reviews

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Fun-loving and spontaneous, the Ford Ka lives for the moment. With its unmistakable styling, superb driving dynamics and a catch-me-if-you-can attitude, this is a small car with big ideas. Whatever you’re into, the Ford Ka wants to be part of the action.

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Ford Ka reviews by year of make: 1997 1998 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2006 2007 2008
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Ford Ka

1.2 Zetec - The previous Ka had been in production since 1996 and proved a roaring success for Ford. Sharp looks, practicality, immense affordability and go-kart-like handling made the blue oval’s baby a great ch... read more

Ford Ka car reviews

Number of reviews: 18

There are 18 consumer reviews on the Ford Ka, the 10 latest are displayed below.
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The views expressed in these consumer reviews do not reflect the thoughts and opinions of ReallyGoodDomains.com

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Roy Privett, Surrey

Ford Ka Ka3 1998

Basically a good, cheap, city car. Needs rubbing strakes on doors to prevent damage in supermarket car parks, a 4 X 4 door bouncing off it can do £500 worth of damage in seconds. Have had trouble with the air flow meter on the injection system, the door locking system can operate all night without warning, leading to a flat battery in the morning, (traced to waterlogged wiring harness in the doors) and the floor can get damp if parked facing downhill in heavy rain. Spark plugs need to be removed on a regulat basis and the threads greased, otherwise they can corrode in the head and snap off, leaving thread in head. Expensive repair! Horn is pathetic, even for town use, totally inadequate for motorways. Bought new and never had any seriopus troubles, although oil filter change is very difficult as a DIY job unless special tool is available. Would cheerfully buy another one, preferably with the more powerful 1.6 Sport engine. Tried the Fiat-based new model which, in my opinion, is nowhere near as good as the original which was miles ahead of it`s time and still looks good, and handles well, even against todays Japanese/European competitors.

Submitted: 14/12/2009 22:10:01 | ID: 4091

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T Jackson, Lancashire

Ford Ka Blue 1.3

Firstly my Ka gets its rating from the nippyness, and nothing else. Now for the bad bits. she has been the most expensive car to run I have ever had. Now for the catalogue of problems - apologies to people who are offended or upset, but I think my experiences are worth mentioning. In her first year of purchase she needed a steering grid at the cost of £590 fitted. Quickly followed by a second one ten months later - thankfully the garage had guaranteed the grid for twelve months. (the second one lasted a very lucky 4+ years) Since then I’ve battled with so many problems I could scream. Rust that spreads faster than weeds. The genuine Ford petrol caps failing to lock. After replacing genuine twice, I solved the problem by buying a cheaper off the shelf version. Exhausts snapping in two just over the warranty mark, thankfully when the third ’snapped’ I had found a small local garage who agreed to weld it for me till a replacement was really needed. Even thought the rest of the exhaust was fine, it snapped again in a totally different position while driving on a motorway and on the way to meet my new bosses for lunch - the shame. Electrical fault with the doors - the thing kept unlocking itself. The first time I replaced at (again not cheap) thankfully the second time happened was after I had met my local trusted garage, who offered to pop a new one in or he suggested a cheaper option, I could go home, chop the wiring in the passenger door therefore stopping the loop. The heater stopped working. Again I paid the first time it happened then when it went the second time I just wore gloves in winter. Eventually the blower itself decided to work on all settings just 10% of the time - the rest of the time, just the highest setting would work. Electric windows failing to open/close intermitently. Windscreen seal leaking - finding this out in a rain storm and 250 miles from your home and your local trusted garage isn’t pleasant, and also proved quite pricey to sort. Then finally a short in the electrics at one in the morning that involved a crew of 7 firemen and one of the boys in blue. Since my Ka finally gave up the ghost, and obsessesed with my seriously bad luck especially when so many sites seemed to say that these were really reliable cars - I decided to trawl the internet to see if I could find a different story. Typing in Ford Ka common faults gave me the answer, and over 40,000 local hits. Most of the problems with my Ka seem to be classed as common faults. Just not so common to people like me who have just a basic knowledge of cars. Would I buy another - daft question really, I have had such a nightmare with this car I’m seriously considering trading in my driving licence for a weekly bus pass.

Submitted: 30/09/2009 08:53:11 | ID: 3648

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Adrian Harrison, England

Ford Ka 2004

Purchased new in 04 and I still own it. I put CD player in and it broke, so put original radio/cassette back in. The dealer serviced at Ford and have had no problems, driven all over UK and it performed well, only niggle is suspension creaks a little and paintwork showing age and plastic bumpers are fading a little, but just needs a little TLC. Over all for a purchase price of 5K new and little maintenance it was bargain buy. As for being a girl’s car it ain’t, but you do get Neanderthal man complete with bad attitude trying to cut you up thinking it only has a 50cc engine, but when the 1.3cc engine complete with sensible driver holds its own, they lose their temper and throw toys out of pram and play horn honking. Ka: a design classic and fun car.Variant: base model. Year Of Make: This car was leased

Submitted: 27/07/2009 08:40:36 | ID: 3309

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Gemma Kelland, Hertfordshire

Ford Ka 2003

I have to say this little car is reliable. My first car, a 53 plate, bought 2 years ago for £4000. The only problems I’ve had with it is that my air con kept going boiling hot on me... and the passenger side foot well was soaking with water. My dad later found out that the air con was blocked and pulled out a lot of dirt and leaves and re connected the pipe to the draining system at the bottom of the car. I have had 2 oil leaks as well!!! I’ve also had problems with the locks, being that I couldn’t open my car from the drivers side, and having to get that repaired. I’ve also needed the obvious tyres etc. However, I now have a creaking sound when turning right, so I know there’s is a problem there!!! The positives are that its started every time, and I’ve not had any problems on long journeys!

Submitted: 18/02/2009 12:39:45 | ID: 2538

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Alex Cooke, England

Ford Ka collection 2001

I bought this car 4 years ago for £3000, and I have easily spent £1000 a year on repair since then. I have replaced all of the suspension yearly, brakes and disks too! the interior is a bit on the cheap side even for an entry level car. The air con work fine in winter but when i turn for its cold settings in summer it leaks water into the passenger and driver footwell. The locks are another annoyance they keep sticking and for the last year I have not been able to unlock the car from the drivers side. I would give it 1 star but on the plus side it has always started first time and never broken down on a journey. It’s just a shame its such an uncomfortable one.

Submitted: 06/02/2009 09:00:46 | ID: 2477

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D Moore, County Down

Ford Ka 2007

Just got a 2007 Ka, 1,400 (yes, one thousand four hundred) miles for £3000!!! It was a write-off but has been fixed and is now like brand new. Very happy! Great wee car!

Submitted: 02/02/2009 10:53:15 | ID: 2454

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Shaun Beautyman, Yorkshire

Ford Ka 1997

I bought my 1997 1.3 Ka for a mere £450, it was extremely cheap and it was to suit me perfectly with my money income being low. I thought that the car would only last a couple of months before it would need replacing, but I’ve had the Ka for 6 months now, I’ve been travelling at least 20 miles a day and its still in full working order, it just wants to keep going. The fuel consumption is excellent, it takes only£30 to fill and can get around 300 miles out of it, it doesn’t have many luxury features but it still handles very well and I have found that it can squeeze into the smallest of spaces. When people look at it from the outside it may throw them off but when in the car it’s amazing how much room there is, with any 3 door car the back seats are cramped up but I sit nearly all the way back in the drivers seat and there’s still plenty of room in the back. I think the perception of the Ka being a girls car is nonsense, since buying mine I’ve noticed a few of the local lads investing in them. I think men are just scared what people will think of them if they drove one. Overall I would strongly recommend the Ka to people on a low income or first time drivers, they are BRILLIANT!

Submitted: 03/11/2008 16:25:14 | ID: 2108

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D Gridley, Surrey

Ford Ka Zetec Climate 2008

For starters Ford had a deal so the purchase price was £5995 OTR, very good when you consider this has ABS, PS, Climate, coloured bumpers/spoiler and all the accessories. Overall a very good little motor for the price though I wouldn’t pay full whack for it. Handling is exceptionally good with enough from the engine to make it fun. The finish/quality is not brilliant, especially when you think that Ford have made this model for 12 years now, I would expect all the fit and finish to be ironed out to perfection. Generally a good fun car that can easily put a smile on your face and would be very good for a first time driver as it is so sure footed. Have spent an extra Â£500 making it look right. This has taken the form of silver Ford stripes over the top, SportKa leather, colour coded instrument surround, eyebrows on the headlights, mudflaps all round and a different tailpipe. Why do all this? I prefer the original Ka shape to the SportKa but after many years in design I see things that just don’t look quite right. At the end of the day it still only cost me £6500 and people tend to walk past it that little bit slower to have a nose. Would I recommend a Ka to a friend. Yes. Expect to have a budget small car and you’ll be happy. If you want better build quality spend more on a Japanese motor and put up with the bland styling you’ll get.

Submitted: 06/10/2008 15:44:03 | ID: 1973

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Sheana, England

Ford Ka 1.3 Collection 2002

I purchased my little Ka just two weeks ago and am loving it! Its very nippy around town, easy to park and a joy to drive. Love the smart interior and the metallic paintwork. Would definitely purchase another one. Ka’s rock!

Submitted: 21/07/2008 09:19:54 | ID: 1693

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Dominic Colgan, Essex

Ford Ka 2000

I bought a W reg KA recently and while I like its good handling, excellent gearbox and lively engine there are somethings I distinctly don’t like. 1/ I find the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal too close together which can mean you hit both pedals by mistake which could have lethal consequences. The accelerator should be further to the right but I think the "curves everywhere design" doesn’t allow this. 2/ Changing a headlight bulb is a nightmare and a mechanic even has extreme difficulty. The normal person will find it impossible (I kid you not). 3/ The "curves everywhere" design may look cute from the outside but prevents accessories having a flat surface to mount on. Map compartments are inadequate. The hidden "glove compartment" is ridiculous). 4/ The floor seems to have little indents suitable for nothing except perhaps putting a can of coke in. 5/ The horn is very insensitive and has to be pressed hard to work. Not what is required when you have a myopic old lady coming at you on the wrong side of the road which happened to me in Colchester. 6/ According to the previous owners service notes the brakes were getting too hot and it has now failed the MOT on every aspect of braking including the handbreak. 7/ The doors open and lock in a peculiar way which I suppose has the virtue of fooling an opportunist thief. 8/ Don’t forget to make sure you have a key for the lock nuts on the wheels and bring it with you every trip or it could be expensive if you get a puncture miles from home. This is my first Ford and I think they should know better as they have been building budget cars longer than everyone else. Ford should realise that cute design has its place but not at the expense of practicality and safety.

Submitted: 14/05/2008 09:29:13 | ID: 1457

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Alice Vitori, Cheshire

Ford Ka 1.3 Studio 2006

I love my little Ka. It’s a car with bags of personality and even though it’s been around a while the shape still looks funky and makes it stand out. Good, solid and reliable and doesn’t cost me the earth to run.

Submitted: 21/04/2008 18:19:37 | ID: 1306

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Tom Balmer, Durham

Ford Ka 1998

My wife’s KA has been an excellent buy. Very little has it ever needed repairing. I put two new tyres and a new battery on it a couple of weeks ago and then found that the air-flow meter needed replacing ( approx.£150). As it’s getting a bit long in the tooth now we decided to look for a replacement. The best deal is £1000 trade-in for a new KA Zetec Climate Panther black and fully kitted out - £5999 at Holloways Ford near Durham. It’s a brilliant deal - picking it up on Friday. We’d recommend a KA for all seasons !!!

Submitted: 27/03/2008 08:44:15 | ID: 1211

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Colin Lewis, Bridgend

Ford Ka 2007

I bought a Ka on the weekend for work and for running around in. I took it for a test drive and I was very impressed, part exchanged for a 02 Vauxhall Agila and got a one year old car for £3000!! 13000 miles on the clock.

Submitted: 11/03/2008 09:47:40 | ID: 1116

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Charlene Simcock, England

Ford Ka 2004

The Ford Ka is excellent as it is easy to drive because it's small but big enough for the children to get in. It's reliable, cheap to insure and cheap to run.

Submitted: 27/02/2008 13:57:18 | ID: 1079

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Dan Gladwin, Powys

Ford Ka 1.3 Style 2007

An excellent car, suitable for almost any purpose, big enough for the kids but small enough to make it easy for the wife to park. A good choice for those of us on a budget.

Submitted: 31/10/2007 16:22:23 | ID: 467

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Adrian Hall, Shropshire

Ford Ka 1.3i Studio

What can I say, Its Fun, Reliable, Cheap to repair, Cheap to Insure and Cheap to run with MPG ranging from circa 60mpg at a constant 56mph. I have had and driven many cars as I work within the car industry at Acorn Finance. I would say the Ford Ka offers excellent value for money. Starting with the Studio model, specification includes: 5000 Radio/Cassette, Anti-Lock Brakes, Driver Airbag, High L Brake Light, Immobiliser, PAS, Rear Head Restraints, Solid Paint, Split Rear Seat, TicToc Upholstery. For further details visit your Local dealer and or go to the Manufacturers website.

Submitted: 02/10/2007 10:12:59 | ID: 259

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Michael Taylor, Cheshire

Ford Ka 1.3 Luxury

Outstanding little car with bags of character and great fun to drive. Cheap to run, with inexpensive servicing costs. Having driven this car many times around central London and also up on numerous driving tours of Scotland, it has coped with every driving situation presented, has never let me down, and I can only recommend it. One word of caution, though - it IS more of a 2+2 than a real 4 seater for adults!

Submitted: 05/09/2007 16:37:11 | ID: 173

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Mica Uknaija, London

Ford Ka 1.3 3 dr

This is the perfect car for getting about around town. It’s cheap to run and insure and looks great. I had a Fiat before my Ka but would never go back to one now.

Submitted: 05/09/2007 11:28:36 | ID: 163

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There are 18 consumer reviews on the Ford Ka, the 10 latest are displayed above.
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Number of reviews: 18

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The best consumer review received between January 22, 2010 and February 22, 2010 will win a Parrot RKi8400! Equipped with a 200 W MOFSET amplifier, the Parrot RKi8400 can offer you a new musical experience. Totally integrated into the vehicle’s audio system, conversations and music are transmitted via the speakers for maximum listening quality.
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