1990 Ford Orion L review from UK and Ireland

Sensor for vacuum timing advance of engine was faulty at purchase. Engine had been detuned to compensate and the fault only became apparent during a service - where it cost nearly £100 to replace.

Water leak in boot traced to failed rubber seal around back window - eventually.

Tilt/slide sunroof mechanism was already seized at purchase. Replaced myself with unit from breakers yard - surprisingly easy to do.

Crank shaft oil seal leaked at purchase. Never got round to fixing it, just kept topping up...

Windscreen washer pump burnt out around 90000 miles, replaced with new unit from dealer.

New clutch about 90000. After they fitted it, the high street garage chain wouldn't give me a warranty with the new clutch. They said the flywheel had imperfections on the bearing surface. I told them where to stick their warranty..

Bought car for a song at auction. Had a few minor niggles then, but all were put right for less than £250, so I was still £££s in. Thereafter I had a fundamentally very reliable (albeit no-frills) motor. It only let me down once in 2 and a half years when the alternator belt snapped and the battery went flat.

It was spacious, relatively comfortable and completely anonymous which was what I needed at the time.

The rattly old 1.3 litre "lawn-mower" engine (still used in Kas and Fiestas I believe) coped admirably with the car's size and seemed destined to keep going beyond the 113000 miles at which we parted company. Key to this, I'm sure, was my routine engine top-half strip down and tune up ever 7-8000 miles or so because I used the car to commute long distances every day. This would provide the perfect opportunity to have the tappets adjusted and quieten down that rattly engine.

Mechanically it was a sound and sturdy, sailing through it's MOTs easily, requiring only silly things like wiper-blades and rear numberplate bulbs. The bodywork was mostly sound up to when I sold the car though some blistering due to stone-chips was evident on the bonnet.