Faults:

Ignition wires failed within the first six months.

Exhaust system replaced while still under warranty, car was two years old.

The dash lights were replaced under warranty, but the dealer cracked the sockets so the lights constantly went on and off.

Clutch link snapped at 120 000 km.

Battery replaced at 160 000 km.

General Comments:

This car is seriously quick and handles like it's on rails.

Dealer service was normally excellent.

Received great value on trade-in for purchase of new car. I received almost half of what I paid for it 9.5 years before.

Faults:

The only fault is being a two door version, the drivers door is dropping a little.

General Comments:

Stands up to all the kids can throw at it.

Its met blue with alloys, even though it's only a 1.4 it looks the biz.

The only let down is it's a 4 speed.

Utterly reliable, needed new brake discs in the summer as the old ones were warped, the pair cost £8.00, things like that you don't forget in a hurry.

Go and look at a similar age fiesta or escort, call and get some rust treatment on the way.

Faults:

Weeping head gasket since purchase (94k miles) - common fault it seems - was leaking oil down the side of the engine at the pulley side. There was no cylinder pressure loss or water-in-oil or oil-in-water - but replaced the gasket nevertheless. Did it myself - gasket kit is expensive at £100 and you need new head bolts and antifreeze etc for the rebuild.

Weeping sump gasket - replaced and re-sealed.

2nd gear synchro-mesh is weak - another common problem. On hard acceleration, trying to change into 2nd gear at speed is causing the gear to grind. You can get the gearbox rebuilt for £250 if you take it out yourself first.

Front wheel bearing failed. This is a hard job to do yourself - you need a hydraulic press to get the old bearing out and the new one in. Costs £45 per bearing.

Constant velocity joint boot failed. Bought new joint - cost £50. Another hard install unless you are a seasoned car enthusiast. I did this whilst I was doing the wheel bearing. Note: if you remove the shocks/mounts, you have to get the camber professionally set.

Exhaust started to go, not bad as this was the original exhaust. They are very heavy and you can get after-market stainless steel ones that are much lighter.

Rust on the boot lid, a common problem as the shape of the car pulls all the road dirt/salt onto the back whilst going along. Check around the rear window and where the number plate lights are. Can be expensive to fix. Second hand boot is about £65 and costs about £100 to be sprayed properly.

General Comments:

Quite a quick car, but you soon get used to it and soon find its limit.

Good on petrol if handled lightly on the motorway. Can get up to 32mpg on a long trip. Short trips can cost 16mpg to 19mpg.

Handles OK on the original suspension, but benefits from up rated shocks.

Cloth seats show dust and dirt quite quickly.

Whole toy shop of after-market bits to make your car better, from alloy wheels to turbo and supercharger kits.