Faults:

Start motor not working time to time (turning the key again usually does the trick, so it's nothing serious).

The radio has stopped functioning three times, but removing and replacing the fuse and reprogramming the thing (takes around ten minutes) has remedied it every time.

Some relay has failed on a regular basis (every three and a half years), so the next failure can be predicted and the relay changed beforehand.

Braking heavily has made the thing jump off second gear into neutral time and again. Most likely associated with wear and tear the gearbox has taken (the car has been used to tow a light utility trailer).

Rear view mirror fell off after 10 years of staying where it should.

General Comments:

It's kind of small for an estate.

The 1.4l engine feels underpowered especially when the car is loaded with people and junk and/or during towing (as it often is, being an estate). Fuel consumption is about 30 mpg (8l/100km). Despite unsatisfactory acceleration, top speed should be quite decent at around 170km/h (105mph).

The seats are comfortable but provide little support. Suspension's on the wobblier side and power steering's too light. This is no sports car, and was never intended to be, so these problems should not be considered problems at all.

Interior space is adequate for a driver and three not overly large passengers nicely, but you can fit a third passenger in the rear seat somehow. There isn't much holders to put your stuff into in the back. Both doors have holders, but they are shallow and thus not very useful.

Faults:

Rear windscreen wiper does not always engage, when I use it.

Drivers electric seat heater does not work.

Otherwise, it has been totally reliable.

General Comments:

I bought the car in January 2006 and I have been driving it since April 2006, when I got my driving license. I am 18, you see.

I am very fortunate to own this car which is not too old or too new. It looks very good for its age and I personally like it. Also, I have heard my friends commenting it in a positive way.

The car is 3-door model and the colour is metallic green. It does not have any rust spots and it has been rust protected every four year. It has been also washed and waxed often.

The cars MOT is due to soon and it remains to be seen how good condition the chassis will be.

The car handles quiet good, for as far as I can tell, and the interior is roomy. Interior materials are good for a car of this age, and the dashboard is easy to use, no special gimmicks here. What I really like is the interior colour which is beige and quiet impressive, in my opinion. A Downside is that you have to keep an eye out to its condition.

All in all, it's a good place to be at.

The car was bought in new by an old gentleman, who did not have it a long, because he died and it was inherited by his son. The person from whom I bought the car had bought it from the brother and now it is in my possession.

The engine has enough power for my needs. Fuel economy is just average for 1.8 litres, but I think it could be a lot worse than that.

Right now, I am very pleased to my Escort and hope that it will serve me in a good way. Faults have been less annoying than I would expect, and they can be fixed easily. To sum up, Escort is a good transport to my needs as a first car. If you are looking a second-hand car, take count the Escort because as a car, it is not as bad as you could think.

I Will report if anything goes wrong with the car.