2000 Ford Mondeo Zetec 2.0 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Great!

Faults:

Suspension ball joints for MOT. Not too expensive.

Has a habit of locking itself, I just ignore it, no big deal, better than un-locking anyway!

Windscreen washer jets stopped working - very common problem with these cars - when frozen, the jets push the rubber pipes off the washer pump. Easy to slide back on... but hard to work on as the washer pump/reservoir is in the wing! Need to get under the car and take off the bumper undertray! Or take the headlight/bumper off if you need the washer reservoir out! Nightmare. Just as well this car is reliable and rarely goes wrong, because it is hard to work on, so thankfully only these little minor problems I've had with it.

General Comments:

My 3rd Mondeo. Previous ones were the old shape mk1, this is a mk2. Much better looking and faster than my previous cars. Comfort is improved too, as is the handling. Really good car to drive even by today's standards. Unfortunately a lot of mk2's are rough, they also rust earlier than the mk1's did.

Overall, still a great car. Just trying to find a nice one with low mileage is hard now. Looks great, this Zetec model with the early 90s Escort Cosworth style alloys.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th January, 2011

31st Jul 2015, 10:30

90s Mondeos were the best, you are right. I ran mine to over 100,000 without problems. I've heard the coolant is filled for life in this car and the timing belt doesn't need changing for 10 years/100,000 miles. What more can you say? Service it on time and it won't give you bother.

Funnily enough, mine's had the washer jet problem also; they freeze up in winter, and through use they get pushed off like you said. A small flaw for an otherwise great car. A pain to fix, but once it's done, they should stay on.

2000 Ford Mondeo Zetec 1.8 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Good, reliable family motor

Faults:

Brake pipes above fuel tank replaced at 90k.

New discs & pads at 100k.

Water pump & metal coolant pipe under sump at 110k.

Front suspension wishbones at 120k.

Front coil springs broken at 130k.

Anti roll bar links, 3 sets.

Air con had holed condenser when bought, never fixed.

Water leaks in boot & driver footwell, eventually cured!

General Comments:

A great family car, which took us all over the UK & France, laden down with a roof box and camping kit.

Never failed to start or breakdown.

Used front tyres quickly.

Grey interior trim showed marks.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th November, 2010

16th Nov 2010, 12:19

I'm from North America and I really hoped that FORD brings this car over from Europe, and don't touch the design. Does the engine have a timing belt or chain and where's the engine from, ie Duratec or Bosch?

16th Nov 2010, 16:03

It was sold in the US as the Ford Contour.

17th Nov 2010, 06:33

Hi, this engine has a timing belt which needs replacing at 90k miles, and it's a Duratec.

17th Nov 2010, 07:25

Not the 1.8L gas engine. The 2.5L and later 3.0L Duratec were sold here. Not reliable at all.

2000 Ford Mondeo ST24 Estate 2.5 V6 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Excellent all round vehicle

Faults:

On inspection before purchase, outer drive shaft gaiter clips broken. This allowed ingress of water/moisture in, causing premature failure of CV joints at approx 13000 miles. Both were replaced, one covered by the car seller, one by myself.

Drivers seat frame broke at approx 14500 miles. Ford covered this as a recognised known fault under warranty. Seat frame now beginning to weaken again; now covered 51750 miles.

Occasionally when the engine is cold, there is a noise from under the bonnet like someone blowing down a pipe. Not sure what this is, but suspect idle valve?? (noise is louder outside the vehicle than inside)

General Comments:

I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it, I love it.

Still looks stylish today, and the car is now 10 years old.

Reasonably quick by today's standards, and handles quite well. Also it has a lovely growl to it when you accelerate.

Interior still looks quite up to date, and is comfortable to be in over long journeys.

Vehicle depreciation is very high, but I didn't buy it to sell it, so I ain't too bothered.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th May, 2010