Faults:

Clutch and flywheel replaced.

Alternator failed.

Power assisted steering pump replaced.

Leak in passenger footwell.

Broken electric window.

Temperamental central locking.

General Comments:

Towed a caravan throughout my period of ownership. Also towed a trailer full of logs regularly.

Bought the car when 3 years old. Lovely and comfortable. Brakes a bit spongy.

Had 45 - 50 MPG, so quite cheap to run. Only broke down the once when the alternator packed up. Major expense was the flywheel, and decided to do the clutch as well. This cost 600 notes.

All in all, a good value for money car which gets you from A to B.

Faults:

When I first bought the car, it would cut out without warning; an AA man fixed it by securing the high pressure bar sensor.

Power steering pump failed at 110k miles.

Water leak in driver's footwell, split door card seal.

All wheel bearings replaced.

Lower front ball joints replaced.

Starter motor replaced at 150k (failed to start at a petrol station).

Rear shock absorber RH replaced at 155k.

Rear coil spring LH replaced at 160k.

Windscreen washer pump replaced at 165k.

General Comments:

This car is a big comfortable family car. I liked the 6-CD player, reversing sensors, comfy seats, 50+ MPG & big boot.

The break downs at the start were pretty scary at times when it cut-out at 50mph on dark country lanes; the lights dim & power steering goes!

The car took us all over the UK & Europe going over the Alps; it was powerful even when fully laden.

The beauty of Ford is the parts are still reasonably cheap. Although this car came with FSH, it still didn't give me confidence; oil & filter changed every 7-8k miles.

When the 6-speed gearbox started whining at 160k miles, it was time for it to go. Luckily no expensive parts failed, so overall it wasn't a bad motor!

Faults:

Rear wheel bearing needed replacing.

Leak through offside rear door seal.

General Comments:

A very comfortable, cheap way to get around. Bought for £875 as a second car.

Mine was a 2004 facelifted Ghia model, so had all the toys you could want, like 6-disc Sony stereo, electric folding mirrors, cruise etc and had had Xenon headlamps and Bluetooth fitted, so didn't really feel too hard done by compared to modern cars (except no aux port for an iPod, and, surprisingly, no ESP!).

These MK3 Mondeos are very well balanced driver's cars, with a very good compromise between ride quality and handling. Whenever I drive one I always enjoy the accurate, well weighted steering. I've owned and driven tons of cars, and few seem to be quite as well balanced!

The old 130hp Duratec engine still had plenty of go, tons of low down torque, and did 40 MPG all day long with my fairly heavy right foot. To be fair, compared to a modern diesel, it was a clattery old thing and suffers from more turbo lag than probably a modern diesel does, but, still not a bad old diesel. Smoked A LOT under acceleration, but then, looking around, most of these old diesel Mondeos do.

One main dislike... or two... the gear change was quite stiff (specially from cold), and the handbrake was rubbish. Both things are pretty common old Mondy faults!

The other thing I like about Mondeos is their very big boot, perfect for my Great Dane!

This was never bought as a main car, just a run around to go out with the dog in and not mess my pride and joy (in the garage) up. But, I thoroughly enjoyed driving it (overall, more than my wife's 2 year old Hyundai i40!).

All round, a great old smoker!!