Used Ford Fiesta 2002 - 2008 review

Ignore the forgettable looks; the Ford Fiesta is a great used buy. Its huge popularity when new means there are lots to choose from now, plus it’s inexpensive to buy and similarly cheap to run, making it a very sensible choice.

However, as well as being sensible, it’s also fun. The Fiesta is imbued with the impressive dynamics we’ve come to expect from Ford products, making it the most enjoyable small hatchback to drive.

True, there is a trade-off for the Fiesta’s sharp handling, and that's slightly firm suspension, but it’ll be an unusually rough road that makes it uncomfortable.

The Fiesta may not be particularly exciting to look at, but its simple lines have aged well. The interior is spacious, too, with decent room for four adults and a usefully sized boot, although the Volkswagen Polo betters the Fiesta for fit and finish.

http://www.whatcar.com/classifieds/used-cars/Ford/Fiesta)**

Your budget can be small here: from as little as a few hundred pounds for a well used, rough-looking example.

However, we'd advise spending upwards of £500 to get into a car that doesn't have moon-shot mileage or need a lot of work doing to it. A budget of £500-£1000 will deliver rich pickings for those looking for a first car for a new driver or an inexpensive second runabout for the family.

With so much choice you really can afford to be choosy, so it's worth seeking out cars with fewer owners because they are more likely to have all their paperwork – making it easier to check that servicing has been carried out regularly.

A used Ford Fiesta should cost you very little to run. Servicing can be done anywhere, and it’s cheap. Consumables, such as tyres and brake pads, are all readily available and inexpensive, too.

Those services shouldn’t cost you anything more than £150, while insurance should be affordable as well; only the ST attracts higher premiums due to its sportier character.

The diesels make sense if you’re doing big miles, with the 1.4 TDCi offering an official combined economy figure in the early 60mpg range. The near 15sec it takes to get to 62mph from a standstill shouldn’t put you off, because it feels faster than the figures suggest.

If speed is your goal then the 148bhp 2.0-litre ST will appeal. A sub 9.0sec 0-62mph time combines with a smart body kit and revised suspension to make it the enthusiast's pick, although there’s fun to be had behind the wheel of any Fiesta.

The 1.25-litre petrol model is justifiably popular, and our all-round choice, although you might want the 1.4 or 1.6 if you’re planning frequent long trips in your used Fiesta. The larger petrol engines get close to the 1.25-litre’s official 49mpg average economy figure, too.

Trim choices include Finesse, Studio, LX, Style, Zetec, Ghia, Zetec S and ST; we’d aim for LX and above. This comes with air conditioning in all but the 1.25-litre model. Zetec adds sportier looks and alloy wheels, which are also standard on Ghia, Zetec S and ST Fiestas.

A facelift in 2005 brought new lights and more equipment, and some owners upgraded their older cars to look like a facelifted one as it’s an easy swap. The interior gained some slightly better materials from 2005, when Bluetooth connectivity also became available.

Our favourite used Ford Fiesta: 1.25 Zetec

The Vauxhall Corsa is similarly abundant, tough and inexpensive, although it’s not as much fun to drive.

Nissan’s Micra offered more equipment as standard when new – specifically safety items such as anti-lock brakes and side airbags – so it is worth considering if you’re buying for a new driver as a first car.

The Volkswagen Polo and Fiesta have long been rivals; while the German car is not as rewarding to drive, it is classier. At this age and price point we’d probably take the Fiesta, though.

http://www.whatcar.com/classifieds/used-cars/Ford/Fiesta)**

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here