Ford Ka (2003-2008) Review

Running Costs

• Previous: Safety and Security
• Next: Comfort and Equipment

Insurance is low (Group 2 or 3 for the Ka 1.3, TBC for the Sportka but expected to be inexpensive), and servicing and maintenance are cheap. Fuel consumption is quite frugal; the 1.3's new Duratec engine is more economical than the old Endura unit it replaces, despite being more powerful: it returns 43.5mpg, and the Sportka does 37.2mpg, officially, at least - we suspect real-life consumption, when you put your right foot down, will be somewhat thirstier. The Ka is also popular as a second-hand purchase, so it will hold its value well for a city car. The Ka is popular second-hand, so you won't find good ones dirt-cheap, but there are enough around to source a decent one at a sensible price. Independent car supermarkets and large-scale retail outlets usually offer good savings, and there are always lots of private cars in local classified ads. Look out for signs of premature rust, water leaks into the cabin (usually around the footwell), and tired, hard-worked old 1.3 engines and gearboxes. It may be essentially an aged design, but the Ka isn't about to become obsolete, and it's still good value for money. Watch out for special editions and limited-run models, but currently, the Ka Collection, with central locking, electric windows and metallic paint (plus optional air-con and ABS) looks the best all-round value. Luxury Ka models come somewhat dearer, but have leather seats, alloy wheels and electric door mirrors, and Sportka models are quite well-equipped too, though in price they're going to be close to the more accomplished, better-specced, and more refined 115bhp MINI One. The most basic Ka models are really only for misers.