1986 Ford Escort L review from UK and Ireland

By the time I got this car, most of the major components had been replaced because of the mileage.

The only problem I had with it was the dreaded rust, you could almost see it spreading before your eyes!

I only did one minor service to the car - oil and filter, air filter and spark plugs. That was all it needed to keep it running, very cheap to service.

Although fairly reliable, it was a complete rust bucket. I know that it's old and eighties cars generally weren't as well built as todays, but this was especially bad. If rust sets in the cars had it.

I have since learned through experience that the equivalent Vauxhalls of the time (1.3 & 1.4 Astra and Cavalier) are better built, rust less and go, stop and handle better.

I could not get on with the dashboard and control layout, it's not very ergonomic.

The only good thing about this car is the low cost of servicing it. It can be driven into the ground without too much going wrong.

It is a completely unremarkable car, buy one for peanuts, use it then chuck it away.

Whatever you do don't pay over the odds for one of these, even rare ones in good condition are not worth a lot.