Faults:

Nothing serious, but I purchased it privately in 2021 from a guy who cherished it from new (he was the original owner). All service records going back to 2001. Mostly from Ford main dealers.

General Comments:

Gorgeous blue Mondeo, 2001 Ghia X model - top of range. I love this car. Despite its age, it drives very well.

Kept as a second car and used sparingly, I enjoy every moment in this car. Leather seats and all electrics. Very comfortable. Still feels modern, but the 1990's / early 2000's designs are showing.

The petrol powered 2.5 engine is fast and reliable if cared for. I regularly have fun with it and don't get much more than 23 miles per gallon, but taking it slow I have got very close to 30 miles per gallon. But if miles per gallon is a concern, you should get a diesel. This engine is fast, smooth and quiet. That is the appeal. So the less MPG is worth it.

Not worth as much as you might think for a rarer Mondeo, but I plan to hold onto it a long time; its value can only increase, this particular model is very rare.

Faults:

Normal service and maintenance.

I replaced the often forgotten water pump belt due to age cracking, and will most likely do the pump as preventative maintenance.

I also have the occasional light clunk from the suspension, but I will forgive it due to the age of the rubber components and the terrible state of British roads.

General Comments:

I have been so impressed with this. After a Passat Estate, which felt solid but very dull to drive, it is a revelation. The engine is very smooth, sounds pretty good, and despite being only 170PS, it moves along very nicely. Unaffected by running the air con (which is still freezing cold) or having 5 people in it.

The ride is very controlled, firm enough to feel the road, but very supple and nicely damped; sharp imperfections don't thud through the car as in the Passat.

The steering is nicely sharp, but not twitchy, and the rear of the car follows the front very well, and you can tighten your line with the throttle as well as the steering, almost like a sports car. A little less roll would be the perfect compromise; maybe fitting a stiffer rear roll bar is on the cards.

Ghia X spec is great; heated leather seats, cruise, 6 CD etc etc etc, and being a black 4 door with cream leather and 17 inch wheels, it even looks pretty sleek. Certainly nicer than the usual silver or grey diesel hatchbacks with boggo spec levels.

Safety kit is good and ESP is standard on this model. Brakes are slightly numb, but work very effectively once you work them, and ABS cuts in nice and late. It cruises very well too at high speed with no shakes or wobbles, and feels a nice place to sit for a long period of time.

Moreover every electric feature on the car works perfectly, even after 13 years, and the engine is totally silent at idle; it's uncanny.

Nobody wants the V6 petrols any more, so they are cheap, but the MPG averages 29.8, which I think is good for mostly urban running, and this model suffers no DMF issues (doesn't have one) and no diesel type problems, injectors, turbos etc that instantly eat up any fuel saving and more. Plus... it just sounds and drives so much nicer than a nasty diesel!