Faults:

Anti-roll bar bushes required replacement every 20k.

Rear near side wheel bearing disintegrated at 30k.

Driver side rear quarter panel rusted through, replaced under warranty.

38k cam-belt pully disintegrated.

Water leaked into boot & passenger wheel well.

Driver's electric window motor packed up, remote central locking failed on passenger door.

Probably more I've forgotten about.

General Comments:

Nearly always fails MOT due to very high emmissions.

Badly put together car.

Fast & pulls well for a diesel motor.

Comfy ride & practical for a family of 4.

Faults:

Rear CV joints, exhaust, engine management system, HT leads, steering ball cup.

General Comments:

A superb car to own and drive, but bear in mind that they guzzle fuel (20-25 mpg usual), and I had loads of grief with the ECU leading to non-starts, misfires etc. I think I was unlucky with mine, because few others had any of these problems. The performance is good, the handling is phenomenal, once you've learnt to drive it properly - they tend to tramline a bit, but with the right technique they corner like they're on rails.

Faults:

The car was actually screwed together very well although there was mismatching trim on a door panel. The only time it let me down was when the dealer cleaned the fuel lines and did not reassemble them properly. And towards the end of my sentence with it it took about 20 engine turns to start.

General Comments:

A complete heap of crap. This car should never have been unleashed on an innocent public. The driving position was appalling because the steering wheel was too far from the driver. There was not enough performance to pull the car away from the lights without it stalling and it would always slow down on hills. Incredibly, for a car with 185/60 tyres and a diesel engine there was no power steering. The steering was 5 turns lock to lock. It would not do 95mph but had a spoiler. AVOID these things. A Lada is a better car. The 1.6i petrol is quite fun.

Faults:

Alternator at 40,000 miles.

Starter motor went at 50,000 miles.

Front wheel bearings went at 60,000 miles.

General Comments:

If you can avoid the 105 bhp models (as mine is) because it's just too slow at all rev ranges, it just doesn't drive like a hot hatch should. They look best when lowered and with RS2000 side skirts & kit, otherwise a very standard looking car.

Faults:

Some dashboard lights have failed (a common problem).

Sun visor clip broke.

Rear-wash-wipe pipe split.

General Comments:

Engine and ride rough but generally good.

Faults:

Bought the car two years ago. We have now driven 34K and in that time:-

Drivers door lock wouldn't unlock (replaced).

Exhaust rattle during reving.

Intermittently fails to start (once all day). Dealer said it may be the KNOW 16V ENGINE VALVE PROBLEM and quoted around 400 (uk) and was not sure if Ford would contribute to the cost.

General Comments:

Comfortable car but am not very happy with the engine problem situation.

Faults:

Knocking from power steering when new, slight wind noise from passenger side when above 50mph.

General Comments:

Suprisingly good performance from 1.6i 16v Zetec engine, good economy / equipment levels and nothing has fallen off or broken.

Good Ford stereo is matched to poor quality speakers that sound like they have been pulled off of a 20 year old 'Alba' portable radio.

Quite pleased.