Should you buy a used Mk8 Ford Fiesta ST?

If you like small, practical (ish) cars that give big driving pleasure, the Ford Fiesta ST remains a supermini-sized hot hatch that you should measure others against. It is huge fun to drive, very useable, and supported by a vast dealer network. The engine is even capable of reasonable fuel economy if you can keep your foot from jamming the accelerator to the floor at every possible opportunity – no easy task, believe us.

As ever with the Fiesta ST, the suspension demands commitment and toleration much as the handling insists your passengers require a strong stomach. So although it is, in no uncertain terms, quite brilliant, it’s not the kind of car that will suit everyone.

As used buy, there are certainly things to look out for – not least the previous owner – but there are a lot to choose from and looked after well, we reckon it’ll give you years of future joy.

What we like

Fabulous chassis tuning is clearly the result of some serious tender loving care from its creators, making it outstandingly good at covering ground over a mixture of different road types. Keen engine is clever and potent. Lots of standard equipment on the ST-3 version, including the must-have Performance Pack. We like the way it looks, too.

What we don’t like

The ride comfort is punishingly bad in some situations, and a real drag if you’re not in the mood. Some rivals are cheaper. The five-door only bodystyle of facelift models will put some people off, and doesn’t solve all of the Fiesta’s practicality constraints.

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