1994 Ford Fiesta LX review from UK and Ireland

Exhaust (back box, pipe and front pipe) had to be replaced when purchased. Also, needed to get the engine brackets replaced as they sheared one of my water pipes!

Driver door lock/catch and passenger door lock needed replaced, along with boot lock.

Catalytic converter needs replacing (haven't done that yet, and hope not to have to!). This rattles in cold weather and when in low gears.

Steering rack had to be replaced as every time I turned the steering wheel, I heard an awful grating noise. Steering also became very difficult at times.

Seats (especially drivers) and carpet are a bit worn.

Other (small) items - tires, oil pressure switch, light bulbs, rear wheel (yes, wheel!), fuses.

Rust is becoming a bit of a problem especially around the wheel arches and underneath the bumpers (front and rear).

You would not believe how much oil this car goes through! It burns oil like there's no tomorrow! Don't seem to go through a great deal of petrol though, so maybe this compensates for that!

The boot leaks from somewhere. The seal is still fine, but somehow water is still entering the boot. This is not a great problem, but does mean if you have maps (or such like) in your boot, you will need to periodically dry them out!

Car lacks any sort of punch - cannot overtake, and motorway driving is a nightmare! Good around the town though, and (relatively) easy to park.

Seem to have an electrical fault which can't be traced. Sometimes the nearside front headlight switches off and I get a buzzing noise. Also, the rear nearside light is significantly dimmer than the other side. Lots of small electrical faults that have no apparent cause.

After all its faults, it does start first time, every time. The car runs very smoothly for a car of this age.

Not sure if I have a particularly bad example of this car, or if it was maybe poorly treated by the previous owner. I'm going to try and sell it and get something that looks a bit smarter.

Insurance and tax are very cheap for this car, and parts are very good as well.