Faults:

Rear window winders inoperative.

Electrical drain on battery, replaced battery and alternator and traced fault by auto electrician, problem solved.

Mostly wear and tear items replaced, exhaust fell off leaving an awful noise, replaced back box. Brakes all round at an MOT was expensive, but acceptable at age and mileage. Engine had a small oil leak, nothing serious. Cam belt changed. Small coolant leak, used rad weld on radiator, problem solved.

Seemed to blow bulbs often, always replacing rear tail lights.

General Comments:

My first car and what good memories. This was the most common sight on the roads in the UK in the 1990's and early 2000's. Escorts were everywhere. After passing my test I saw this car for a good price locally, and my father advised me that it would be a good first car. To be fair, apart from the wear and tear problems above, it never let me down and was respectable as a first car. Most of my mates had Fiesta's with 1.1 engines, so I had bragging rights with my 1.6 Escort.

When I bought the car it had alloy wheels and spoiler, dark green metallic, looked smart, though this basic 1.6 LX will never be an XR3i or Cosworth. The 1.6 engine was better performing though than under powered 1.4 and 1.3 units, so I was happy with the car. Averaged 30 something miles per gallon, I dare say you could get close to 40 on a long drive. Gear change felt a little rough sometimes, but the handling was OK, and I found the seats comfortable enough. Interior wise LX is mid range, had electric windows in the front but that was all. Grey dull plastics everywhere, typical 90s Ford.

When it was 10 years old and had over 100K miles on it, my father advised me to sell it. He said it could be unreliable after this age and mileage, but you could say that about any car. I looked after it and it never gave me any major problems, and I suspect it would easily have lasted another couple of years. A rare sight on the roads now, you will not see many. Basic models did not hold value well, but nowadays rare sportier models now are going for thousands on eBay and other auction sites. Would love to buy one for nostalgia, maybe next summer :)

Faults:

A few weeks after acquiring the car, the driver's door lock failed at c.154,000 miles. The door could not be unlocked from the outside, so I had to unlock the passenger side door, climb over the seats, and unlock the driver's door from the inside.

The temperature control dial on the instrument panel was erratic.

General Comments:

This car was an ex-police 4 door saloon/sedan, which in my opinion, looks better than the hatchback. I only ran the car for five months, and for a 'stop gap' banger, it was surprising good for a 'no frills' car.

Very basic specification, so not much went wrong. Was fitted with ABS brakes, perhaps on request of the police force who first had the car. Had a driver's airbag too, which Ford had fitted across the range to enhance safety standards.

Performance from the normally aspirated 1753cc diesel engine was woeful, but this meant that insurance was cheap. Ideal engine option for anyone with points on their licence, as it is quite hard to drive this car fast!

Front seat comfort was fine, but rear passengers complained of a choppy ride in the back, possibly down to worn suspension rather than any design issue from new.

Faults:

Rear wheel cylinders no longer worked & leaked.

Alternator wire (red) snapped off.

Power steering pump whined (my fault).

Knocking front suspension area (roll link).

Headlamps needed adjustment.

Needed brakes all round.

Exhaust blowing.

Needed exhaust manifold gasket (horrible job).

Rear chassis rail seriously corroded.

General Comments:

Overall, it was a 16 year old car which had really been neglected, but I saved it from the scrappy, and got it MOT'd and fixed.

Engine always started, no matter what.

I advise you buy one of these that has been cared for and serviced regularly.

A full service history isn't necessarily required, but it's advisable.

Better than a lot of cars of that age.