Soldato
I've seen them rust on the A pillars, doors, boot lid, even things that can't rust like the tyres and windows seem to rust 
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Going to buy a Ford KA
- Thread starter Chives
- Start date
I've seen them rust on the A pillars, doors, boot lid, even things that can't rust like the tyres and windows seem to rust
lol
Hi guys,
My friend is hunting around for first cars and has decided on a KA.
He has found a car close by and wants me to go with him to take a look.
Basically what should we be looking out for and what sort of questions should we be asking? As I'm a complete novice when it comes to buying cars.
Cheers
Does not compute
On a serious note, my girlfriend bought a KA with about 70k on, sketchy service history etc etc. Lasted her 4 years and 40k miles , she didnt even service it once.
Came to the last MOT where it failed on rusted seals...£200 would have sorted it but she was ready for a change and sold it to a guy for £500 (how she managed that I do not know!)
Duratorq is Ford's diesel engine. It was called Endura-E to start out with and rebranded Duratec 8v when Ford named all their petrols Duratec. It's always been the same nasty overhead valve engine all along.
I'll admit to not knowing anything about Ford KAs, but a friend's wife had one and they always seemed to be moaning about how much fuel it used, given it's size.
Are they known for having dire MPG?
Soldato
My mum had a Ka for years. Economy was fine in that!
It probably needed a service or something.
It's possible
They subsequently replaced it with a Skoda Roomster with a tiny diesel engine for the MPGZ and low (no?) tax. True story :/
Soldato
It's the 1.3 Endura, you could fill it with Piri-Piri sauce and it'd run just fine. It'll never break 
Soldato
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- 29 Jun 2004
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I've seen them rust on the A pillars, doors, boot lid, even things that can't rust like the tyres and windows seem to rust
It's the 1.3 Endura, you could fill it with Piri-Piri sauce and it'd run just fine. It'll never break
You're on fire today!
Soldato
Thank you, thank you. I'm here all week
The heater control valve is electrically operated and it's very common for them to stick in one position.
Thinking about it it may have been more like 60k miles as for the 3 years she did about 70miles a day to Uni and back.
the 1.3 seemed to be blonde proof!
Soldato
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Form first hand experience look out for:
Rust around filler cap
Rust around rear wiper
Rusty sills
Lower arm bushes
Anti-roll bars
Steering wheel clockspring - grinding steering
Heater Divert Valve - Stuck on Hot
Also if it's a 2000 it will be an endura engine... Bombproof but have very tappy tappets, so don't let the tapping noise put you off. Also don't bother trying adjusting them as you'll be doing it every other month
Even all these nigly faults my ka never failed me, and surprisingly passed every mot on original sills
Rust around filler cap
Rust around rear wiper
Rusty sills
Lower arm bushes
Anti-roll bars
Steering wheel clockspring - grinding steering
Heater Divert Valve - Stuck on Hot
Also if it's a 2000 it will be an endura engine... Bombproof but have very tappy tappets, so don't let the tapping noise put you off. Also don't bother trying adjusting them as you'll be doing it every other month
Even all these nigly faults my ka never failed me, and surprisingly passed every mot on original sills
My sister had it and it was great to drive and it does cornering very well, just pick a point and it will just go there!
Despite being a basic 1.3 engine, it was actually relaxing and very easy to drive, especially from low-end.
Despite being a basic 1.3 engine, it was actually relaxing and very easy to drive, especially from low-end.