Cheap Ford Ka Radiator

The Ford Ka ran across two distinct generations: the Mk1 from 1996 to 2008, and the Mk2 from 2008 to 2016. These two generations are built on completely different platforms with different engines, so a Mk1 radiator will not cross over to a Mk2. Always confirm which generation your car is before ordering from a breaker.

Both 2004 and 2007 fall within the Mk1 generation (1996–2008), so the engines available in those years are from the same family and fitment is broadly likely across that range. However, confirm the engine code on your V5 or via a VIN check and supply it to the breaker, as that is the single most reliable guide to whether a specific radiator will suit your car. Never assume fitment without the breaker verifying against your registration.

This question spans the Mk1-to-Mk2 generation boundary: the Mk1 ended in 2008 and the Mk2 began the same year, so a 2008 car could be either generation depending on build date. Because the two generations use entirely different engines and cooling systems, a Mk1 radiator is very unlikely to suit a Mk2. Confirm your exact generation and engine code with the breaker against your registration before purchasing.

Trim level does not affect radiator fitment on the Ford Ka – what matters is the engine code, not whether the car is a base model or a Zetec S. The Zetec S was a styling-focused trim rather than a mechanically distinct variant, so it shared the same engine options as other trims in its generation. Tell the breaker your engine code (from your V5 or a VIN check) and generation, and trim is irrelevant to the search.

Yes, fuel type can affect radiator specification, particularly on the Mk2 Ka which was offered with both petrol and diesel engines, as diesel engines typically run at higher temperatures and may use a different radiator design. On the Mk1, the range was predominantly petrol, but you should still confirm your exact engine code with the breaker rather than assuming. Supplying your engine code from the V5 is the most reliable way to ensure the breaker matches the right part to your car.

The engine code is the most important detail you can give a breaker for any mechanical part including a radiator, as it identifies the exact specification regardless of year or trim. You can find the engine code on your V5 logbook or by running a VIN check through a service such as the DVLA or a reputable decoder. Once you have that code, quote it directly to the breaker so they can confirm fitment against the donor vehicle they have in the yard.