1999 Ford Mondeo Ghia review from UK and Ireland

Glowplugs at 70,000 miles

Timing and fuel pump belts should be considered consumables on these engines and changed every 30-40k. Approx UKP150 from a competent independent, or add UKP100 for a Ford dealer to do the job. If the timing belt snaps, it's UKP1000+ for a replacement engine, so you do the sums.

I could gripe about its lack of speed and horrible droning engine note when worked hard, but the strengths of the car matter so much more.

Loads of room, loads of standard kit, utter reliability, solid build quality, and the kids love it. Lovely supple ride and suprisingly keen handling. Won't match our MR2, but then it was never designed to. Air conditioning and CD player work brilliantly, and the plush looking seats prove all day comfy.

We get 40-50 mpg depending on roads and driving style. The former is driven hard around town, the latter cruising at 70-80 on the motorway. Servicing and parts are incredibly cheap, even for OEM items.

Cannot seriously fault the car unless you want to accelerate in a real hurry. Unlike some idiots though, driving quickly with the kids in the car is not something I even entertain, and I rarely drive it without the kids in the car. If it had 200 bhp, I doubt I would drive it much quicker.

Great car, now seriously cheap to boot.