Faults:

The car was fine until the timing belt snapped. Mechanic said it was a "Wet belt", a known bad design.

General Comments:

So I got a good deal on this Fiesta last year, low mileage and full history. I continued to drive carefully and look after the car, but after only one year and about eight thousand miles the entire engine is scrap due to a poor design destroying the belt and ultimately leading to failure.

I wish I had done more research on this car before buying, but had to purchase last year in a hurry; I just needed a low mileage modern car and thought surely something as well known and popular as a Fiesta could not be this bad.

The car likely won't be worth repairs and I am out of pocket. Shame really, the Fiesta was a comfortable and quick economical little car when it was running correctly. But I will avoid any car with a "Wet belt" in future! Apparently lots have this design, not just Ford but Peugeot and some other manufacturers too. Be warned!

Faults:

Rumble from rear suspension.

Air con dead.

ABS light on.

General Comments:

Despite getting on nine years old, this Fiesta still feels fresh and modern.

Titanium X is top of range. Interior is excellent, plenty of equipment. Ride a bit firm though. Boot space is a joke. Love the dials however and it is a great car to cruise in on your own. Great seats.

Exterior is nice in white with window tints and alloy wheels.

1.6 TDCi is nippy and very economical (over 60 mpg) with cheap insurance and zero tax, cannot argue with that.

Modern, reliable and economical, not much to dislike! They are a bit overpriced though, good luck finding a deal on these if you are looking. Prices have went up massively in recent years; in all honesty as good as this little car is, I'm not sure it's worth it at a decent age and some miles on them. At this age and mileage you have to expect some expensive repairs even on looked after cars.

Faults:

A/C won't work anymore. I also did the timing belt and water pump at the last service.

Replaced brake disc and pads at the front and new tyres.

Interior quite rattly, but nothing is broken. Might be coming from the suspension - I will get it checked. Exterior looks as good as new, it is a looked after car.

General Comments:

This Fiesta has done me very well the last couple of years. Cheap to buy, very cheap to insure, and excellent economy, yes the figures of 60 - 70 mpg are truly achievable, I have calculated them myself, getting an average of 66 mpg even in winter.

The 1.5 TDCi is of course no racing car, but it gets you were you want to go. "Style" model is very, very basic (wind up windows in rear!) get a Zetec or above model if you can. That said, the interior is still comfortable and quiet enough for most journeys. You got air con and electric windows in front, that is it for this spec.

The car handles very nicely. Dull looking in white with wheel trims, I do however like the looks of the car inside and out. I might add alloy wheels. Boot space is small, but it is a small hatch, mine is the 3 door version.

Overall just a great economical car; perfect for these tough times.