Faults:

The engine is pinking when pulling away at low speed. Also, accelerating after lifting-off for a while is always jerky - never smooth. This is particularly bad in low gears and town driving is frustrating.

Two dealers approached, neither found a fault.

Various clunks and rattles from the suspension and tailgate.

General Comments:

I love the car despite these problems. But I doubt I'll ever buy another Ford because of their very, very poor dealers who do not appear to care about their customers.

Faults:

Driver's seat belt frayed.

General Comments:

An excellent all round car so far. I've had it for 6 months.

Fairly comfortable, although it did give a me a bit of a stiff back after 14 hours to the South of France (possibly to be expected!).

One of the things I don't like about it is the size of the rear screen wiper - it wipes such a small proportion of the rear screen, and on the motorway etc, the back of the estate gets a lot of water on it.

The estate is very versatile from 5 people to all the equipment required for a bouncy boxing ring and castle (including blower units etc).

Faults:

I had a call back for the electrics, nothing wrong with mine till it came out of the garage, the exhaust rattles and the engine was lumpy under acceleration.

Fixed after 8 trips back to the garage in Darlington, make your own minds up what garage.

I had 2 new tyres on the front, apart from that nothing.

General Comments:

I love the car, it looks good and drives even better. The fuel consumption is excellent and it holds the road like snot down a pensioner's nose.

We will be getting a Ford Puma 1.7 next, didn't like Fords till now, we have had most makes of car and Ford are OK.

Faults:

Nothing so far, just got it on Friday 11th August 2000.

General Comments:

The car is very well put together, more so than the Sierra that I had.

The Focus is so cramped for space it is a major job just to replace a bulb in the side repeaters!, apart from that the car is a very good drive, just not as good for bombing down the motorway as my Sierra, but never mind it's new so.......

Faults:

Electrical failures are common with the fog lights not working. In addition, a number of product recalls have taken place with defects in the central locking. Dealers tend to be un-co-operative after sales.

General Comments:

The car drives well, although the superlatives by the press are largely undeserved. The gearbox is like cream and at speeds up to 70 miles an hour it is wonderful. At higher speeds, it is ordinary. Be careful of dealer service. It purrs along beautifully on the motorway and is excellent value for money but do not expect it to live up to the hype.