Used Ford Fiesta 2002 - 2008 review
The Fiesta is a practical hatchback that you can buy and run on a tiny budget. That it’s fun and reliable only adds to its allure.
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What's the used Ford Fiesta like?
Ownership cost
Our recommendations
Alternatives
Reliability
Stuart Milne
Updated: 1 June 2016
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What's the used Ford Fiesta like?
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.
Overview
The Fiesta is a practical hatchback that you can buy and run on a tiny budget. That it’s fun and reliable only adds to its allure.
Pros
- Fun to drive
- Affordable to buy and run
- Space for four adults
Cons
- Forgettable looks
- Firm suspension
- The VW Polo feels classier inside
Used cars available now
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Ford Fiesta
1.4 TDCi Style 5dr
£300
Ford Fiesta
1.6 Ghia 5dr
£350
Ford FIESTA
1.4 Ghia 5dr
£460
Ford Fiesta
1.4 Zetec Climate 5dr
£490
Ford Fiesta
1.4 TDCi DPF Zetec 5dr
£495
Ford Fiesta
1.25 Zetec Climate 3dr
£500
Ford Fiesta
1.4 Titanium 5dr
£500
Ford Fiesta
1.25 Zetec 5dr
£500
Ford Fiesta
1.4 Zetec Climate 3dr
£690
See all available cars
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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.
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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)**
Tips & Advice
Make sure you’re insured for the test drive
Short-term car insurance – also called test-drive insurance – will ensure you’re legal when you’re shopping for your next car
Ownership cost
What used Ford Fiesta will I get for my budget?
Your budget can be small here: from as little as a few hundred pounds for a well used, rough-looking example.
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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.
How much does cost to run a Ford Fiesta?
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.
Tips & Advice
Organise your motoring life
Whether you need to keep tabs on your insurance renewal, sort breakdown cover, or book a service, My What Car? has you covered
Can I buy a car with cash?
Paying cash isn’t always an easy way to a new car – and you may not be able to get the big discounts you might expect
Our recommendations
Which used Ford Fiesta should I buy?
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.
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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.
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Our favourite used Ford Fiesta: 1.25 Zetec
Tips & Advice
Avoid ULEZ and clean-air zone fines
If you regularly drive into a clean air zone, you’ll want to ensure your next car is compliant to avoid costly fines
Alternatives
What alternatives should I consider to a used Ford Fiesta?
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)**
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How reliable is the Ford Fiesta ?
Ford Fiesta
Read reliability
Used cars available now
In partnership with
Ford Fiesta
1.4 TDCi Style 5dr
£300
Ford Fiesta
1.6 Ghia 5dr
£350
Ford FIESTA
1.4 Ghia 5dr
£460
Ford Fiesta
1.4 Zetec Climate 5dr
£490
Ford Fiesta
1.4 TDCi DPF Zetec 5dr
£495
Ford Fiesta
1.25 Zetec Climate 3dr
£500
Ford Fiesta
1.4 Titanium 5dr
£500
Ford Fiesta
1.25 Zetec 5dr
£500
Ford Fiesta
1.4 Zetec Climate 3dr
£690
See all available cars
About the writer
Name: Stuart Milne
Title: Digital editor
Follow Stuart Milne on
Stuart has been a motoring journalist for more than 25 years, writing and editing for a wide range of consumer titles. Today, Stuart is responsible for the smooth running of whatcar.com and all of its related social and digital channels. And he’s the man responsible for making sure you're able to find What Car?’s industry-leading content whenever you search for it.
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