Faults:

Steering arms.

Rust in the rear arches.

Rust in the boot-lid.

Worn driver's seat.

General Comments:

These cars can be neglected to a point, for example mine recently had an oil change, the first in at least 40,000 miles, but before it still ran perfectly and started first time every time.

The best way to avoid the common rust problem is a good thick coat of rust proof paint (Tekaloid).

When buying a mk4 Escort check the rear arches for rot.

Faults:

Nothing apart from a damaged alloy wheel from hitting a pot hole in the road.

General Comments:

It's a cracking car with great performance, the only thing that I'd change it for is an Escort Cosworth!

Faults:

Water pump rocker arms wore out, but fixed by my father and I.

It now exceeds my expectations.

General Comments:

Great car. I wish it had air con, but it does have a 15 watt CD deck, a 600 watt amp and two 6.5 mids, four 1.5 tweeters and one 12 inch MTX sub.. Pumps out pretty good for a pretty old car.

Faults:

Vacuum advance unit.

Water pump (leak revealed on cambelt change).

Poor MPG.

Heater matrix.

Battery.

Failed central locking (caused by a cowboy alarm fitter).

General Comments:

At first I had poor MPG (30) so I called out a mobile tune-up specialist who diagnosed that the Vac advance unit had failed. After replacement, together with new leads and a full service and oil flush it now runs excellent returning 40 MPG on my daily commute to work.

Roll on Summer!

Faults:

Steering rack.

Hydraulic tappets and crank shaft.

Valve stem oil seals.

Front bottom arms.

Brake discs.

Clutch.

Exhaust.

Crankshaft oil seal.

Noisy fuel pump.

General Comments:

I find the car very reliable. It requires constant attention to keep in good order.

Faults:

Nothing.

General Comments:

Excellent cheap motoring, very reliable, got to Malaga, Spain and back no problems at 50+ mpg.

Faults:

Fuel pump (loose wire tabs on pump).

Left front caliper (1).

TFI ignition module.

Starter (1).

Alternator (1).

Tie rod and end.

General Comments:

I have only spent about $1000 on car repairs in 160K miles and 13 years. I didn't expect this from an economy car. A workhorse (hatchback) and very reliable.

Stiff suspension is jarring on bad roads.

Superb OEM Eagle GT tires made it to 99K miles.

Struts, clutch, brake drums, radiator, engine and tranny are original.

No engine or transmission work short of 60K mile timing belt changes.

It was never a solid 'one-piece' car like so many are today. Getting clunkier as time goes on.

Eats exhaust components.

Acid rain etched silver paint.

Some rust, but not bad.

Waiting for a $500 repair so I can get a new car. Focus ZX3?

Faults:

Water pump, fuel pump, steering column, loose belts, alternator, air conditioning, rear view mirror, RPM gauge, radiator, all went bad and had to be replaced. Put way too much money into the car given what I paid.

General Comments:

The car pretty much went bad after 5-6 years. All electronic parts had to be replaced. But I did love its looks and I think it worked great for a first car out of high school.