Faults:

Nothing has actually gone wrong with the car since my ownership. The gearbox seals (small leak) and front shock absorbers had to be replaced (leak) after a month (the car had been stood in dry storage for 3 years before I started using it!).

Been using the car for 2 years now, and clocked up 26,000 with no problems!!

Has been well maintained all its life, and I've continued to look after the car with good oil (5w30w PS), plugs, filters etc...

The Escort also has NO RUST!!... It has never been taken out in the rain since I acquired it, I've continued to wash and wax the car on a regular basis, and the paintwork still looks stunning and no rust has appeared!

General Comments:

This is my first car, and it's been a great experience, very fun to drive even for such a small engine. I'm glad I've experienced a semi old car, as I feel it's made me a better driver for the future (I got the car at 18).

I don't plan to sell it any time soon; with only 45,800 miles on the 1.3 OHV engine, the car runs very smoothly and returns great MPG.

Top speed: 100MPH!! (Scary)

To see a video of my car on Youtube, check out this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSZkmKpye3c

I can highly recommend a Ford Escort Mk4. Find one that's been well looked after, and continue to maintain it!

Faults:

Bought this in a hurry after my Golf MkII was written off by a drunk driver. A mistake.

Had a catalogue of failures from major ones like a core plug on the engine corroding through at 2.5 years old through to losing wheel hub caps whenever it went over a bump.

Dealer service expensive and the 1.4CVH (Constant Vibration & Harshness) engine needed a new cambelt every 22500 miles.

Rubbing strips peeled off door, rust spots appeared under bonnet etc.

General Comments:

The CVH engine was supposed to be "lean burn" but it could not do more than 42mpg on a good day and mostly hovered around 40 even driving gently on the motorway.

Engine was very harsh, especially under acceleration and not very quiet.

Interior plastics wore badly and rapidly developed lots of scratches.

Handling was OK, but the car needed constant adjustment of the steering wheel to keep on track. Also unstable in side winds and easily pushed off line. Not a very relaxing car to drive.

On the plus side, it was reasonably fast in a straight line, but that's the only good point I can think of.

Car had no personality and I was glad to get rid of it after 18 months as soon as I could afford something better.