Battery wiring, oil leaks and diesel on the Ford Ka+

Engine / equipment

Ford Ka+ (1.2 Ti-VCT and 1.5 TDCi)

Period mentioned

2016–2020

Symptoms

Smoke or a short circuit next to the battery; engine oil leaks; lights and brakes flagged at the roadworthiness test; on the high-mileage diesel, injector or particulate-filter failures.

Possible cause described

A 2019 recall was issued because the wiring of the battery monitoring system (BMS) could rub against the battery clamp and short-circuit; it is checked, rerouted and wrapped in special tape. The German guide says oil leaks are still an issue (less than on the previous Ka) and that the TÜV often criticises lights and brakes; the petrol engines have no known serious faults.

Check for the garage

Check the battery-wiring recall by VIN; look for oil under the engine; check lights and brakes before the roadworthiness test; on the diesel, read the codes and check the injectors and particulate filter.

Cost cited in the source

No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database