20th Jun 2021, 21:55

Review and comment pretty much says it all. The diesel engine in this car was an absolute nightmare; I believe the Mazda 6 from the same time period used the same engine as in the Ford, but I could be mistaken. I can comment as I have owned both the Ford and the Mazda, both diesel, both a disaster. Early and mid 2000's cars with diesel engines are to be avoided, unless you like spending all that money you saved in economy on repairs like injectors, dual mass flywheels, turbos and DPF's. To be fair it probably applies to most diesel cars from the time period, not just Ford and Mazda.

In recent years they got more reliable; a friend has a diesel 2015 Skoda Octavia as a taxi that seems to be holding up well. Myself I drive a 2013 petrol Toyota Avensis. Boring car, but for petrol it is excellent - Does over 40 mpg and is quiet and smooth, no problems so far, doubt I'll ever go back to diesel.

28th Oct 2022, 19:45

Diesel engines in cars from this time period were terrible; they got better as the years went on however.

14th Feb 2023, 16:12

I wouldn't be so sure, I have heard recently of people still having the old diesel problems with DPF's, turbos and injectors even on very recent cars.

Myself I had problems the same as the reviewer and comments mention, had a Skoda Octavia, Ford Mondeo, and a few other cars from this time period (mid 2000's) all diesel and all had the same expensive problems. Would never go back, now drive a petrol 2018 Insignia believe it or not, which is good so far and still does 45 mpg. I am aware however modern petrol engines can be complex also, with a GPF (gas particulate filter) but they still seem more reliable than diesel.