2003 Ford Focus Zetec review from UK and Ireland
"Car is great, but dealers and quality spoil it"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Squeak from tailgate
Intermittent clonking and vibration from rear end.
Uneven front tyre wear.
General comments?
Great car to drive, but ownership experience is ruined by truly awful dealers and a few quality issues.
115 PS TDCi engine is a match for the 130 PS unit in my old Golf due to the Focus being 200kg lighter. Ford unit is more refined too.
Fun to drive with fantastic handling and great "feel", especially through the steering. Feels sportier than the Golf.
Dealers are hopeless. Tried three, and none can fix the clonking rear end which occasionally makes alarming grating noises over bumps. All rate the front tyre wear which sees the outer edges bald whilst the rest of the tyre has 3mm of tread remaining as "normal". None can fix a simple rattling tailgate.
To be fair, VW dealers were no better, and the Golf was less reliable, but that's no excuse. Car buyers deserve better.
Will go Japanese next time.
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| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| First year of ownership | 2003 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2004 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.8 TDCi 115PS Manual |
| Performance marks | 8/10 |
| Reliability marks | 7/10 |
| Comfort marks | 6/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 1/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 4 miles |
| Most recent distance | 24000 miles |
| Previous car | Volkswagen Golf |
| Date of Entry | 25th July, 2004 |