Looking to buy a used Ford Fiesta? You’re not alone, it’s a popular used car for a reason. The Ford Fiesta was a real favourite of UK car buyers and no version has been more well-received than the 2008-2017 model – called the Mk7 over here in the UK. It quickly cemented itself on the bestseller list soon after launch and barely relinquished its grip at the top of the sales charts during its near-decade on sale. This means there’s an enormous number of models to choose from on the used car market at any one time.

It sold so well, because it was the perfect small car in so many ways. It looked fantastic – still does to this day, in fact – and the interior was much fresher than its plain predecessor. The Fiesta also drove in a way guaranteed to put a smile on your face: and that’s why it’s a multiple time winner of our Best Used Car trophy.

Facelifted cars from 2013 onwards were better still – they have all-new (and mostly brilliant) 1.0-litre EcoBoost turbo engines, improved infotainment functionality and, yes, that ‘Aston Martin’ front grille. There’s one massive red flag to wave with that tiny EcoBoost engine that we’ll address in a moment, but otherwise it makes for an exemplary used car purchase.

This generation of Fiesta remains a solid used car pick no matter your needs. It’s a great first car, sensible runabout and even a surprisingly versatile family car. There’s even the Fiesta ST, a Hall of Fame hot hatch that’s so good that we’ve treated it to its own used review here.

The Mk7 Fiesta is a sweet spot in the small car class but that doesn’t mean its immune to problems, and the bestselling nature of it means there’s loads around and loads of information and reports to sift through, which is precisely what we’ve done. Make sure you check these areas, and you’ll score yourself one of the great used cars of the moment.

Already own this generation of Fiesta? We’d love to hear your experiences in the form of a Parkers owner’s review.

Ford Fiesta Mk7 known faults and common problems

1 – The welt belt

The tiny turbocharged 1.0-litre EcoBoost is a nice engine, but not immune from problems. The welt belt problem has been brewing for a couple of years and should be at the top of your checks when looking at an EcoBoost engine. The rubber timing belt is lubricated by the engine’s oil and over time can degrade and eventually perish, potentially causing catastrophic engine damage. Ford recommends replacing the belt at 10 years or 100,000 miles so make sure as an imperative that it’s been done on any Fiesta you consider buying. If not, it’ll cost at least £1,000 to replace the cambelt, owing to its inaccessibility and labour-intensive replacement process. As a typical cambelt change can cost less than £500 depending on the car in question, it’s an exorbitant cost on such an otherwise affordable used car.

2 – EcoBoost engines

Another notable issue with the EcoBoost engine was the risk of earlier models suffering from overheating due to the failure of a nylon coolant pipe between the engine and coolant tank, which can lead to engine failure: Ford even issued a technical bulletin to investigate the issue. Misfiring at idle and a reluctance to start can point to carbon build-up inside the engine, while a feeling the performance is restricted points to a worn fuel pump. We promise though, despite these warnings a sorted EcoBoost engine is golden.

3 – Powershift automatic gearbox

Want the cogs to be shifted for you in a used Fiesta and you might come across the Powershift name. This is a dual-clutch automatic gearbox fitted to higher spec Fiestas (Zetec, ST-Line and Titanium) that was designed to be smooth and enhance efficiency. In practice, Powershift automatics have garnered a reputation for jerky gear changes, clutch judder, power loss and premature wear. For this reason, we’d look elsewhere if you have your heart set on an auto supermini.

4 – Heater only blows cold air  

Check any prospective Fiesta blows both hot and cold air on the test drive, if it’s only blowing cold air there may be a simple fix. There’s a common issue with the Fiesta where a small plastic flap gets jammed open, which locks it on the cold air setting. The technical name is the blend door actuator and thankfully it’s easy DIY fix. It’s certainly worth knowing about it before tackling a winter drive with only cold air on tap.  

5 – Theft risk

It’s not just popular with used car shoppers, the Fiesta still gets a dishonourable mention on the most stolen car list and there is a well-known vulnerability with the OBD II port that allows for a determined thief to bypass security features with just a few minutes work. Aftermarket support is on hand to reroute the port or lock it behind a layer of steel. It might be better as a result to buy a car without keyless entry fitted.

6 – Water Leaks

Door seals giving up the ghost is a surprisingly common issue with Fords of this era. A quick way to check they’re past their best is to feel the carpet in the front and rear footwells for signs of dampness – or worst case scenario, mould. You might even see the black door seals hanging loose from the doors themselves when you open them. Five-door cars have more door seals and more risk of leaks; later post-facelift models should be better here than earlier cars.

7 – Clutch wear and failure

Clutch wear is not unknown in Fiestas. It is a car driven largely in town, and is a favourite for those learning to drive. It’s always worth making the usual checks for clutch wear – a heavy pedal is a no-no, as is one that feels lethargic or gritty in operation. You can also try putting it in second or third gear at low revs and flooring the accelerator pedal – any signs of clutch wear will show up in revs that rise out of sync with the acceleration of the car.

8 – Diesel injectors

Fiesta TDCi diesels can suffer from problematic diesel fuel injectors. If they are on their way out, the car will feel jerky, as if it’s been filled with poor quality fuel. The hesitation may be slight, but it’s still worth trying to pick up on, as it suggests the car will need new injectors at some point. They’re not overly expensive to buy, but labour charges will add to the cost.

9 – Skip Studio and Style models

When searching the classifieds, you might notice that Studio and Style models are a little cheaper than other versions such as Zetec and Titanium. That’s because these models are very basic in their equipment – they often don’t even have air con or alloy wheels. They’re rather puritan and not the best way to enjoy the delights offered by the Fiesta, so unless they’ve very cheap, try for at least a Zetec instead.

10 – Weedy engines

A 1.25-litre Fiesta sounds like it may not be a ball of fire, but should be decent enough, right? Well, with a choice of 60hp or 82hp, you may be surprised at how lethargic it feels – this engine needs revving to release its modest power, and that’s not good news for fuel economy. The 1.4-litre is the minimum if you don’t want your Fiesta to feel underpowered. Better still, choose the 1.0-litre Ecoboost that came with facelifted cars: this is turbocharged and feels far more effervescent, yet still with good fuel economy if you take things steady.

Read on to find out more about the Ford Fiesta Mk7, and whether we would recommend one as a good used buy.

As with all used purchases, do remember to get a car history check. It might just save you from an unpleasant surprise later down the line. Also, don’t forget you can use our valuation tool to get an idea of how much you should be paying for a car. You can also check our reviews section for more information about the cars you are interested in.