2004 Ford Mondeo Ghia review from UK and Ireland

Major water leak from new. Windscreen replaced.

Water leak from rear O/S door. Drain holes found filled with rust proofer.

Tracking slightly out from factory. First front pair of P6000's lasted 19,000 miles. After laser tracking, the second set lasted 26,000.

Slight uneven tyre wear: inside edge of N/S front and outside edge of rear O/S even after tracking.

I have covered 55,000 autoroute and motorway miles since new two years ago. The car has just been serviced and still has its original front disc pads, which must be good for another 12,500 miles!

Nothing mechanical has gone wrong with the car and it still drives and smells like new.

This is a much better car than you could ever imagine, only let down by relatively expensive servicing and shoddy workmanship at the UK dealers I have dealt with.

I have my car serviced in Northern France now, the last major (3 year) service with 100% synthetic oil and a new diesel filter (which was Euros 42 alone), cost Euros 202.00 including tax. A 12,500 mile service at my Ford dealer in Hesdin, France was only Euros 123.00. So why is servicing such a rip off in the UK?

My Mondeo is a superb and relaxing inter-Continental cruiser. I have surprised many a BMW driver with its acceleration and handling. Although the top speed is supposed to be 128 mph, I have on a few occasions exceeded and sustained 145 mph in autobahn conditions!!!

Fuel economy is amazing for such a large and fast car: 48 to 51 mpg if driven sensibly, but never less than 42 to 44 mpg.

The replacement model looks fantastic, so will hold onto my current Mondy until the new one is available in late 2007.