Faults:

Brake servo failed (pressure loss) at 105,000.

Rear window switch failed at 112,000.

Fuel pump relay failed at 120,000.

Water pump failed at 140,000.

Window wipers steering column stalk contact burnt out at 145,000.

Front right flexible brake hose bulge found by the Ministry of Transport test at 160,000.

Inlet manifold gasket failed at 165,000.

Flywheel impulse sender failed at 180,000.

Some general wavering on the idle revs and braking rattle that I never got to the bottom of.

Air filter cover clip seatings broke easily as the plastic hardened with age.

General Comments:

It was maintained by home with only the fuel pump and flywheel sender failures warranting investigation and repair by a dealer.

The car is easy to maintain because of its excellent mechanical build quality.

There was never a hint of trouble from the automatic gearbox although it is a pain to do an oil change at home.

A lovely stylish car produced from the basic 740 Mk1 fitted with Mk2 trim and engine.

It was getting admiration long into its old age because of its bodywork condition and overall look.

£7000 depreciation over 9 years and 140,000 miles was very good and it was in demand for £1200 when I sold it even with 197,000 on the clock.

Faults:

The fuel pump required replacing at 140,000 miles due to severe "kicking-back" and refusal to start.

The driver's seat is a little unstable; it "shifts" slightly when taking sharp turns.

The interior isn't as hardy as I would have liked (small rattles here and there).

The heated seats never have worked since we obtained the car (2000) - but then again they have suffered passenger's weight for 15 years.

General Comments:

This is just basically a hardy, reliable old tank, but with unrivaled levels of comfort for a car of it's age.

All electrical parts (windows, mirrors, central locking) work perfectly and the seats are incredibly comfortable.

What is most admirable about the car is it's reliability. It has only refused to start once (due to a faulty fuel pump which had been going for 15 years prior to this).

It hasn't had a service for years, yet passed an MOT this year with flying colours - needed one day-running light bulb.

The only bad thing I have to say about it is fuel consumption - we are lucky to get 18-21mpg around town, and 30mpg on the motorway.

Faults:

Clutch needed replacement at 150k.

General Comments:

Extremely comfortable, reliable car.

Reasonable performance, easy to maintain and very cheap to buy.

Quite thirsty if driven hard, but on long motorway journeys returns 36mpg! Not bad for a 2.3 litre engine! More thirsty on very short journeys.

Faults:

Water pump at 109,000 miles.

General Comments:

The most reliable car I have had. Dull to drive but in 8+ years only a Water pump apart from brake pads, 1 Battery and 2 sets of tyres. Now 144,000 miles.

Provides reliable dog/child/wife transport and will do so until it drops.