2001 Ford Mondeo Ghia X review from UK and Ireland

Initially when we got it home the reversing light didn't work. This required the dealer (under warranty thankfully) to pull the gearbox apart and rebuild it.

Drivers seat ran over its own electric adjustment cables, causing shorts. This happened twice before dealer finally rigged up the cables so they were out of the way.

Centre seat-belt in the back seats frequently stuck.

Rear sub-frame went quite early on and had to be completely replaced (rubbers had perished and you can't just get replacements, you have to change the whole sub-frame!). Sounded like it was on its way out again when we got rid of the car.

Ford replaced the boot after a hit-and-run crash and since then it's leaked like a sieve. Similarly with the rear side door.

Handle above rear door came out.

General build quality was cr*p. After only 45000 miles the car was groinching and creaking whenever it went over a speed bump.

Couldn't fault the engine though - it never once let us down. Had power when you needed it, and motorway driving was a pleasure.

Fuel economy wasn't great, but on long runs it could manage 35mpg.

The seats were the most comfortable I've found in any car. Long distances no problem.

Basically the interior just kept dropping to bits around us, and with the leak in the boot and the inability to get off our (steep) driveway without spinning the wheels we'd just had enough by the end. Cost in tyres alone stopped in being worthwhile.

We'll miss the heated seats and the fast de-misting windscreen though.