Summary:
Too many flaws to be good, but it's not alone in that
Faults:
Repeated issues with the fuel filter, meaning the car goes into limp home mode - the only cure is replacement every service! Thankfully it's a lease car, so I ain't paying!
Stupid tyre inflation kit - a puncture left me stranded on the A1 in a blizzard for 6 hours. The tyre inflation kit only inflates a DEFLATING tyre. If your tyre's flat, forget it. Then after being relayed home, you can't get to a tyre bay BECAUSE THERE'S NO SPARE, so it took me 3 days to resolve and get a new tyre on the rim.
General Comments:
Comfortable, well equipped, decent MPG (48 overall).
The dealers try, bless them, but in execution it's very poor. I am told at the dealers the fuel filter issues are endemic with the Ford 1.6 diesel engine across all its applications - just poor design. A car should be able to go 12500 miles between services without the filter clogging with water surely?
As for the tyre - Ford aren't alone in this dodge, and AA and RAC men are now all too familiar with having to piggy back cars home that have suffered nothing more drastic than a flat tyre. And I remember when a puncture was just an inconvenience.
Oh and by the way - order a space saver on a new Ford at the point of sale - cost £80. Decide the inflation kit is a bad idea so you go get a spare - cost £350!!?? Go figure dudes!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 20th July, 2013
26th Aug 2013, 00:50
Update - the car continues to be plagued by electrical gremlins - as I type the car sits on my drive flashing a red (highest severity) warning, however the text screen doesn't actually tell me what's wrong. A system crying wolf or a system too shy to fully warn me of impending doom?
Overall the car is a good idea, let down by Ford's inability to assemble a car robust enough to do what it says on the tin. A five out of ten effort at the very best, and enough to ensure I won't chose Ford next time. My nerves just aren't up to it.