Faults:

1) Rust - see below.

2) Intermittent unexplained loss of power (after 10 years old)

General Comments:

The car was in my family for 17 years from (nearly) new. Overall it was a very good car: very comfortable ride, very smooth gearchange, smart interior, reasonably fast and lots of extras/luxuries.

The main downside was rust and build quality. If it wasn't for this, the Montego would have been a winner. To be fair though, the problem was generally only annoying surface rust which spoilt the aesthetics. It was only after 17 years that it affected the vehicle structurally.

In its day, when the main competition was Ford's Sierra and Vauxhall's Cavalier, the Montego offered more luxury and class, if not kudos. Apart from occasional unexplained loss of power in later life, the car drove as smoothly and powerfully as day 1. There aren't many Montegos around now, but to anyone considering buying one, best go for a late model (1992 onwards) when build quality and reliability were better.

Faults:

Waterpump failed.

Central-locking failed.

Bodywork gradually failed.

Starter motor.

General Comments:

This car is seriously quick and handles like it's on rails.

Someone prior to myself spent a lot of time on it -- it was a real license loser by the time I got it.

The only reason to sell it was because of the bodywork.

Recommended as a race project - very cheap to maintain.

Faults:

Oil leaks.

Starting problems and faulty autochoke.

Rain leaks around the windscreen.

Rattly exhaust.

General Comments:

Overall, a reasonably good car. Estate was a good load carrier and was comfortable to drive. Too many faults, however, to put up with for very long.

Faults:

Emulsified oil/water emerging from the oil filler cap. Cured by unblocking the breather hose.

Boot lock has come loose - has been replaced at some time because it's a later type.

Headlining is 'flaky' all over.

General Comments:

A car that I paid £50 for then welded in two new rear wheel arches and fitted a new rear silencer and battery, and then straight in for an MOT. Passed first time so a total spend of about £200!

Can't grumble at that now surely. I was so worried by its poor reputation that I asked the MOT guy about them before buying - he said there were no real problems except for the rear wheelarches.

Faults:

The plug had come out of the electric window switch. Took 5 minutes to fix.

General Comments:

Good, spacious car. All electric's (windows / heated mirrors / central locking) all work perfectly. No rust - it has been well looked after. Gold in colour with black bumpers and trims and every window is tinted. It is the best looking Montego I've seen yet - it's actually quite sporty looking. Performance is quite good and fuel economy is good, reaching around 35mpg around town. This is an excellent car!

Faults:

I have had this car a few years now and I can say it is the most reliable car I have ever had. No problems other than those you would expect from an older car.

General Comments:

A very underrated car. It is an excellent family saloon car with loads of leg room in the back and is comfortable even on long trips. The boot is huge. Much was made of the 'computer' in this car being rubbish. As the montego was the very first low budget car to introduce engine management systems, it is not suprising that there were some problems in the early years. Later models do not have any problems. It is a pity they have stopped production of this car but diesel 'M' registered models are available.