Item: Used Ford Ka Hatchback 1996 - 2008
Rating: 4
Author: Steve Huntingford

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Hatchback

Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

A cracking car for new and keen drivers

Used Ford Ka Hatchback 1996 - 2008

No way. This is low-cost motoring at its most entertaining. The Ka was cheap even when it was new.

It has been around since 1996, so there are plenty of second-hand ones around to suit every budget, from cheap to extremely cheap. There's always likely to be a willing market for them, too, so you should have little trouble off-loading one.

It loses value fairly slowly, which keeps whole-life costs down, but the real clinchers are the remarkably low service and maintenance costs, and the group 2 insurance for most versions - ideal for those who have just passed their test.

Mind you, none are expensive. Luxury trim slots into group 4 (hardly wallet-sapping) and the SportKa is group 6.

The only complaint you'll hear from owners is the amount they spend on fuel. It's all relative, though, because 1.3-litre cars offer a reasonable official average of 42-46mpg and the 1.6 is good for just over 35mpg.

There's only one engine in the main line-up - an old-tech 1.3-litre petrol - but a revised version in November 2002 raised the power output from 59bhp to 69bhp. This is our choice.

We say 'main line-up' because a SportKa version arrived in 2004 with a 94bhp 1.6-litre engine and lower, stiffer suspension that sharpens its responses still further with minimal sacrifice to ride comfort. It's the nicest Ka, but it costs a lot more than the standard Ka and is no hot hatch.

Instead, we'll settle for a 1.3 Ka in Collection trim, which captures the Ka's main appeal - plenty of low-cost smiles per gallon - but adds a welcome dose of creature comforts.

The earliest cars (pre-June 1997) had no power steering so we'd give them a miss. Initially, trim levels ran from Ka to Ka1, Ka2 and Ka3, but later cars changed the badging to Ka (basic), climbing through Style and Collection to Luxury.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Spacious enough for four adults to sit comfortably</li> <li>Logically laid-out interior that doesn’t</li> <li>feel too cheap</li> <li>Mature driving manners </li> <li>Decent-sized boot</li> <li>Competitive buying and running costs</li></ul>

Small cars, or superminis as they’re also known, used to be bought almost exclusively as first cars or by people with no children – but the likes of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n106">Ford Fiesta</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen Polo</a> have grown to the point where they can be considered all-round family transport, albeit with the odd compromise.

The Fiesta remains a star of the class, thanks to its strong Ecoboost petrol engines and suspension settings that are beautifully judged for British roads. However, the latest Volkswagen offers even more practicality, decent performance and a classy interior that has the edge on the Ford’s for quality.

Any of these models will be a competent commuter car – especially if fitted with one of the increasingly popular small turbocharged petrol engines – but just remember that while you’ll be able to carry two adults and two children, it might still be a struggle to get all of their luggage into the boot.

Small

These are tough little cookies. The mechanicals were well proven, largely in Fiestas, before they were pressed into service in the Ka, and they give little trouble.

Suspension faults are by far the most common problem, according to data held by Warranty Direct, but the independent warranty provider also reports that repairs on Ford Kas are about as cheap as it gets.

Electrical problems are the next most likely fault, although there's little to go wrong, since the Ka avoids complicated electronic kit.

Check, too, for rust on older cars - the lower edge of the doors and around the wheelarches particularly.

It's also worth being aware that changing a front light bulb is a really time-consuming, fiddly job. That clearly shouldn't stop you buying a car with a blown light - but make it a condition of sale that the seller changes it before you hand over your cash.

Here's proof that price can have nothing whatsoever to do with driving fun.

The Ka costs buttons to buy and run, yet it changes direction with the agility and speed of a Six Nations winger. There's minimal lean in corners or bounce over bumps, but the firm suspension still manages to dish up a well-damped, comfortable ride.

Less good is the 1.3-litre engine, which was dropped from the rest of the Ford line-up some time ago, and you can see why. Newer powerplants are easier on the juice, rev more cleanly and are less noisy at higher speed. However, it dishes up strong mid-range pull and, at motorway pace, wind and road noise are well suppressed.

Anyone in the front will enjoy a surprising amount of space in the practical cabin, but those in the rear suffer. You have to be a contortionist to get in and out of the back of this three-door-only car, and there's precious little room when you get there.

Used Ford Ka Hatchback 1996 - 2008 review

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Find out how much the Ford Ka 1996 - 2008 costs to run, covering expected MPG, servicing costs and insurance costs.

No way. This is low-cost motoring at its most entertaining. The Ka was cheap even when it was new.,It has been around since 1996, so there are plenty of second-hand ones around to suit every budget, from cheap to extremely cheap. There's always likely to be a willing market for them, too, so you should have little trouble off-loading one.,It loses value fairly slowly, which keeps whole-life costs down, but the real clinchers are the remarkably low service and maintenance costs, and the group 2 insurance for most versions - ideal for those who have just passed their test.Mind you, none are expensive. Luxury trim slots into group 4 (hardly wallet-sapping) and the SportKa is group 6.The only complaint you'll hear from owners is the amount they spend on fuel. It's all relative, though, because 1.3-litre cars offer a reasonable official average of 42-46mpg and the 1.6 is good for just over 35mpg.

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Used Ford Ka Hatchback 1996 - 2008 review

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