Faults:

Slight squeak from the engine on start-up which the dealer can't explain. Fan belt checked and is OK.

Brake pedal has started to creak.

General Comments:

Overall, I love this car!

It handles so well for it's size and you get a lot of kit for your money.

The engine provides plenty of fun on the motorway and with great economy to boot.

On the down side, even with the height-adjustable seat and lumbar support, I have been unable to find a seating position that is truly comfortable on journeys longer than 50 miles.

Faults:

Broken trim on the front under the bumper.

Number plate lights both out.

Glove box light bulb missing.

Steering clonking and banging.

Terrible wiper blades.

General Comments:

This was a Ford Direct car and as such I was a little disappointed by the preparation of the car.

All has been fixed since under the warranty, but some of the things like the steering and number plate lights were a bit dangerous.

The steering clonked on take up and steering the car in a straight line on the motorway was quite a challenge. Ford have fitted some essential updates which have transformed the car into what it should have been in the first place.

Otherwise it's a good car, performance is OK for such a big beast with only a 1.8, but you do need to really rev it to get it going.

Quality seems OK and I like the silver effect interior, having the same CD player as the Focus is a bit disappointing though.

Brakes seem light and not very sharp, handling is good, but not as good as the Focus. It's also quite a firm car over bumps and it's not very forgiving on less than perfect roads.

The main problem is wind noise, it always seems like there is a window open even though they are all closed. This is a common problem with these cars so I hear.

My loan car was an updated 53 model and it is a much better car. Go for one of these if you can.

Faults:

Nothing I've only had it a month.

General Comments:

Big comfortable car. Irons out speed bumps effectively and there's plenty of them where I live!

Easy to park despite size.

Not too heavy on petrol.

Comfortable motorway cruiser. handles well in the twisty back lanes.

Thoughtful security details.

Feel safe in it due to side and curtain airbags in addition to normal driver and passenger ones.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Have this car on long term hire due to a recent change of circumstances at work, and a wait until my new car is ordered in September. I started with a Golf which was lovely, but dumped me by the roadside with total electrical failure the second day I had it - it was replaced with the Mondeo.

I drive a lot of different cars (Vectras, 406's, Accords, Passats, Golfs, Audi A3/A4 etc) and find that I don't usually get attached to them. In the Mondeo's case, I am seriously impressed with the car, and will miss it when it goes back next month. The biggest surprise is the quality - I can't believe the leap forward Ford has made on build quality and interior ambiance. It's as solidly put together as the Passat or A4 (yes, really. Try for yourself), with an interior that is both stylish and quite upmarket. Little touches like the chrome rimmed, slightly retro dials, the high quality switchgear and the gorgeous metal insert steering wheel are a welcome change from the acres of bland plastics found in many cars of this type. It also has the biggest range of adjustment on seats and steering wheel I have ever seen. Anyone could get comfortable in this car.

On the road, the Mondeo is also very impressive. It feels a big car when you first get in it, but once rolling, it is actually more agile and poised than the smaller Golf was. The suspension is superb, soaking up bumps effectively, but allowing very little roll in the corners. Steering is a little light, but soon weights up when you feed in the lock. The downside is it can turn you into a hooligan on a twisty road, but it's a small price to pay.

The 1.8 engine struggles a bit in this size of car, but it's quite smooth and refined. Performance is adequate - no more, no less. It can feel a bit gutless if you need to accelerate in the higher gears, but it is a superb motorway cruiser. 100 mph is "no need to raise your voice" quiet. The TDCi and 2.0 variants I have since driven are much better in this respect.

Spec is superb, as with all cars like this nowadays. I really don't understand why someone would buy the Mondeo Ghia, when an LX like this has (excellent) air conditioning, CD player, 4 electric windows, remote locking, electric mirrors with heaters and remote stereo controls.

The car will go back before it clicks over 9,000 miles, so I won't be able to comment on dealer servicing etc, but I can say that in 5,000 miles (in just 6 weeks), nothing has broken, stopped working or fallen off. There is no indication that it will either.

I am so impressed with the car that I am seriously considering choosing one when my permanent car choice comes through next month. I will be looking at the TDCi though.