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Common problems by part

Ford Ka windscreen, wipers and mirrors problems

DVSA MOT tests 2022–2025 · 70,957 MOT tests · Updated

At 12 years, 5.5 in 100 MOT tests of the Ford Ka failed on windscreen, wipers and mirrors, against 5.2 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 70,957 MOT tests) [1].

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  • Against all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years), 3,917 MOT tests with a fail
  • By age: seen at 21 ages from 3 to 23 years, 743,190 MOT tests
  • Most common fail: Wipers not clearing screen, 2.4 per 100 MOT tests

Figures are for the model as a whole, not for one car.

What the MOT tests show

What we know

5.5 fails per 100 MOT tests at 12 years, against 5.2 for all class 4 vehicles tested at 12 (all test years). That is about average.

Why it matters

A windscreen, wipers and mirrors fail stops the car passing until it is fixed; the most common one is rated major by DVSA.

What to check

Check the windscreen for chips or cracks in front of the driver, run the wipers and washers, and make sure both door mirrors are intact and adjust.

Ford Ka windscreen, wipers and mirrors fails by age

Ford Ka windscreen, wipers and mirrors fails per 100 MOT tests by ageSolid line: the Ford Ka. Dashed line: all cars the same age. The table below lists every value.05103 years: 1.0 per 100 (all cars 2.8), 10,163 MOT tests34 years: 1.6 per 100 (all cars 3.6), 21,065 MOT tests5 years: 2.0 per 100 (all cars 3.4), 34,397 MOT tests56 years: 2.8 per 100 (all cars 3.3), 42,764 MOT tests7 years: 3.8 per 100 (all cars 3.4), 45,944 MOT tests78 years: 4.2 per 100 (all cars 3.7), 53,650 MOT tests9 years: 4.6 per 100 (all cars 4.0), 59,154 MOT tests910 years: 4.8 per 100 (all cars 4.4), 67,956 MOT tests11 years: 5.0 per 100 (all cars 4.8), 70,732 MOT tests1112 years: 5.5 per 100 (all cars 5.2), 70,957 MOT tests13 years: 6.2 per 100 (all cars 5.6), 70,543 MOT tests1314 years: 7.2 per 100 (all cars 6.1), 60,771 MOT tests15 years: 8.0 per 100 (all cars 6.5), 48,346 MOT tests1516 years: 8.4 per 100 (all cars 6.8), 31,394 MOT tests17 years: 9.6 per 100 (all cars 7.1), 15,810 MOT tests1718 years: 9.4 per 100 (all cars 7.3), 12,617 MOT tests19 years: 9.8 per 100 (all cars 7.5), 9,881 MOT tests1920 years: 9.9 per 100 (all cars 7.6), 7,400 MOT tests21 years: 8.8 per 100 (all cars 7.5), 5,022 MOT tests2122 years: 9.4 per 100 (all cars 7.4), 2,986 MOT tests23 years: 9.3 per 100 (all cars 7.3), 1,638 MOT tests23
Fails per 100 MOT tests by age, all first-use years pooled. Ford Ka All class 4 vehicles the same age Shaded: over 18 years, survivors only.
AgeMOT testsFails per 100All class 4 vehicles the same age
310,1631.02.8
421,0651.63.6
534,3972.03.4
642,7642.83.3
745,9443.83.4
853,6504.23.7
959,1544.64.0
1067,9564.94.4
1170,7325.04.8
1270,9575.55.2
1370,5436.25.6
1460,7717.26.1
1548,3468.06.5
1631,3948.46.8
1715,8109.67.1
1812,6179.47.3
19*9,8819.87.5
20*7,4009.97.6
21*5,0228.87.5
22*2,9869.47.4
23*1,6389.37.3

All first-use years of the Ford Ka pooled at each age, against all class 4 vehicles at that age over all 2022–2025 test years. * Only survivors are still tested at this age.

What fails in the windscreen, wipers and mirrors at 12 years

Fails

  • Wipers not clearing screen: 2.4 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 2.0. Replace wiper blade: estimated £15–£30 (0.1–0.2 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £7–£14) Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively MOT fail
  • Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid: 2.2 fails per 100 MOT tests, all class 4 vehicles 1.8. Top up screenwash: estimated £2–£14 (0–0.1 h at £78/h (ONS local-garage repair quotes, 1,058 quotes from 65 garages, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) + parts £2–£6) Windscreen washer provides insufficient washer liquid MOT fail

Replace wiper blade cost

Repair figures are estimates, not quotes: how we estimate repair costs.

Buying a Ford Ka? Check that exact car before the viewing.

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  • Model risks for this year and fuel
  • What similar cars did at their next MOT
  • Repairs ahead
  • Viewing checklist

See a sample report

By engine and fuel

  • 1.3 petrol: 9.2 per 100 at 16 years, fails 1.2–1.4× as often as petrol class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 14,926 MOT tests)

How to check on a test drive

Check the windscreen for chips or cracks in front of the driver, run the wipers and washers, and make sure both door mirrors are intact and adjust.

Check one Ford Ka, not the average

The figures here describe Ford Ka cars as a group. These free tools answer for one car. Each line says what the tool reads.

Other Ford Ka problems

Windscreen, wipers and mirrors on rival models

Questions people ask

Does the Ford Ka have more windscreen, wipers and mirrors problems than other cars?

5.5 in 100 MOT tests at 12 years, against 5.2 for all class 4 vehicles the same age: about average by our test (all test years; 70,957 MOT tests).

How common are Ford Ka windscreen, wipers and mirrors problems?

5.5 in 100 MOT tests at 12 years failed on windscreen, wipers and mirrors, against 5.2 for all class 4 vehicles the same age (all test years; 70,957 MOT tests).

What is the most common Ford Ka windscreen, wipers and mirrors fail?

2.4 in 100 MOT tests at 12 years: Wipers not clearing screen (1,709 MOT tests with it).

Sources

  1. Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Anonymised MOT tests and results, 2022 to 2025. DVSA MOT data, Open Government Licence v3.0, 743,190 MOT tests. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.
  2. Office for National Statistics, Consumer price inflation, local price quotes (car repair items). ONS price quotes, series 610236. Accessed 7 Oct 2026.

Parts: against all class 4 vehicles at the same age, all 2022–2025 test years pooled, not adjusted for mileage. Breakdowns and non-MOT faults are not in this data. How we compare