Is the Ford Ka ULEZ Compliant?
Based on 190,199 MOT tests, around 93% of Ford Ka models still on the road are likely to meet London's ULEZ standards, and about 2% are likely to be charged. For the remaining 5%, it depends on the exact Euro standard or month of registration.
The fuel mix matters: tested cars were 99% petrol. Petrol Ka models are generally compliant from 2006, while petrol cars from 2000 or earlier are likely to be charged.
- Likely compliant
- 93%
- Likely charged
- 2%
- Depends on the car
- 5%
- MOT tests analysed
- 190,199
Check a specific Ka
Year and fuel type are a guide. Enter the registration to check that car's own record.
Ka ULEZ compliance by year and fuel
Estimated from the year of first registration. Numbers show how many Ka models of each type were MOT tested, as a guide to how common they are.
| First registered | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Likely compliant9,997 tested | Likely compliant20 tested |
| 2018 | Likely compliant10,972 tested | Likely compliant10 tested |
| 2017 | Likely compliant13,305 tested | – |
| 2016 | Likely compliant8,325 tested | – |
| 2015 | Likely compliant13,284 tested | – |
| 2014 | Likely compliant18,559 tested | Check exact car2 tested |
| 2013 | Likely compliant18,612 tested | Likely charged86 tested |
| 2012 | Likely compliant17,038 tested | Likely charged182 tested |
| 2011 | Likely compliant15,591 tested | Likely charged677 tested |
| 2010 | Likely compliant18,184 tested | Likely charged742 tested |
| 2009 | Likely compliant17,836 tested | Likely charged609 tested |
| 2008 | Likely compliant6,698 tested | Likely charged28 tested |
| 2007 | Likely compliant5,324 tested | – |
| 2006 | Likely compliant3,868 tested | – |
| 2005 | Check Euro standard3,165 tested | – |
| 2004 | Check Euro standard2,636 tested | Likely charged3 tested |
| 2003 | Check Euro standard1,972 tested | – |
| 2002 | Check Euro standard1,193 tested | – |
| 2001 | Check Euro standard628 tested | – |
| 2000 | Likely charged273 tested | – |
| 1999 | Likely charged192 tested | – |
| 1998 | Likely charged111 tested | – |
| 1997 | Likely charged65 tested | – |
How ULEZ rules apply to the Ka
Cars that miss the standard pay £12.50 for each day they're driven in the zone. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
- Petrol (99% of Ka models tested): likely compliant from 2006; 2000 and earlier are likely to be charged.
- Diesel (1% of Ka models tested): likely compliant from 2018; 2013 and earlier are likely to be charged.
Ka models from 2014 sit on the boundary (5% of those tested): some were built to the required standard before it became compulsory. The Euro standard is sometimes on the V5C logbook, or Ford can confirm it. Our ULEZ calculator can help.
Thinking of buying one? Check how Ka models fare at the MOT too: see the Ford Ka MOT failure rate.
Buying a used Ford Ka for London: what the MOT data shows
The Ford Ka models in this data were first registered between 1997 and 2019. 2010 was the most common year, with 18,926 tests (10% of the total), and half were registered in 2012 or later.
Ka models from likely-compliant years passed their MOT first time 69% of the time, at an average of 51,246 miles. Older ones likely to be charged passed 60% of the time with 63,117 miles on average, so a compliant car is usually the more reliable buy as well as the cheaper one to drive in London.
On a budget, the oldest petrol Ka models likely to comply are from 2006. 3,868 of them were tested; 2006 cars passed first time 49% of the time and averaged 53,969 miles. Check the Euro standard on the V5C before you buy one from around then.
Whichever year you choose, check the Ka's weak spots. The most common MOT failures were lights and electrics: "not working" (5.9% of tests); suspension: "ball joint excessively worn" (3.1%) and "pin or bush excessively worn" (3.0%). The most frequent advisory was "tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm", on 15.5% of tests.
Overall, 68% of Ka models passed first time, slightly below the 71% average for all cars, and they had covered 51,551 miles on average, fewer than the 73,145-mile average.
ULEZ compliance for other models
Other Ford models
About this data
Based on 190,199 first MOT tests of the Ford Ka carried out in 2023.
Source: DVSA anonymised MOT test data (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). First attempts on cars only; “pass rate” means passing first time. Averages cover all 32,735,164 cars tested (71% passed), and years with under 50 tests are hidden.
ULEZ results are estimates from fuel type and year of first registration. Transport for London makes the final decision.
Learn more about how our data works.
Frequently asked questions
What 190,199 MOT tests say about the Ford Ka and London's ULEZ.
Is the Ford Ka ULEZ compliant?
In our data about 93% of Ka models on the road are likely compliant and 2% likely to be charged. Petrol and petrol-hybrid cars need Euro 4 (most from 2006), while diesels need Euro 6 (most from September 2015).
Which petrol Ka years are ULEZ compliant?
Petrol Ka models first registered from 2006 are likely compliant. Some earlier cars meet Euro 4 too, so check the exact vehicle.
Is a diesel Ka ULEZ compliant?
Only if it meets Euro 6, which generally means first registered from September 2015. Diesel Ka models from 2013 or earlier are likely to be charged.
How can I check if a specific Ka is ULEZ compliant?
Enter its registration in our free ULEZ check, which uses the vehicle's DVLA record. Always confirm with TfL before relying on it.
Related guides
- ULEZ · 6 min readULEZ explained: which cars are compliant and what it costsSince August 2023 the ULEZ covers every London borough. Which cars comply, what the daily charge costs if yours doesn't, and what you can do about it.Read the guide
- MOT · 6 min readThe most common reasons cars fail their MOT (and how to avoid them)Lights alone failed 11.3% of cars at their 2023 MOT, more than any other area. The common failure areas, ranked, and the driveway checks that prevent them.Read the guide
- Buying a used car · 7 min readHow to read a car's MOT history before buying a used carThe MOT history is the only part of a used car's story the seller didn't write. A 10-minute method for reading it before you go to see the car.Read the guide
Is your Ka ULEZ compliant?
Enter the registration for a check based on that car's own DVLA record.