Hello my Grandaughter is looking to buy a 2015 FORD FIESTA ZETEC TURBO, has about 65K on the clock all appears OK, (private sale)

Anyone have any tips ,suggestions of things I should look for when she goes for Test drive , possible purchase ?

Not sure if Fiestas around then have any usual/common faults ?

 

Any advice appreciated

The big issue is the "wet" cambelt which must be changed at 10 years - up to £1800 at main dealers, independent specialists are cheaper. Plenty of recommendations now starting to appear, but unless the seller has already had it done early, you need to take that into account.

There was also an issue with the metal coolant pipes to the turbo rusting badly (very long thread on that somewhere on here) but that one seems to have gone quiet lately.

We have also quite commonly seen gearbox failures with the 5 speed box and the ecoboost engine.

 

 

 

Agree'd with Roger, and the clutch system is fairly weak on these.

(PS - There is no mention of 1.0 or petrol in the OP, but we are assuming that's what it is?  The diesels also have a turbo and were available in Zetec trim)

As above:

If no full dealer service history, walk away

Budget in £1800 for wet belt change, next year, unless solid proof of work carried out

Or

Get her a 1.25 Zetec, the insurance is way cheaper anyway and uber reliable

Thanks Gents yea its 1.0L Petrol, apologies for not making clear, Wasnt aware of cambelt issue, blimey thatsa steep price, even if it was half that price

Very expensive and MUST be done correctly or boom!

Take the 1.25 Advice👍

Cheers Ill try and convince her, but Im not heopeful 🤔.....    Ill have a look and see what zetecs are available around my location

Same car, same spec just cheaper insurance and more reliable

3 hours ago, pilsudski said:

 Wasnt aware of cambelt issue, blimey thatsa steep price, even if it was half that price

Amazed you've missed that - half this site seems to be full of Ecoboost horror stories! (NB It still applies to 2018 cars assuming yours is a 1.0 Ecoboost.)

1.25 is a safe bet as Dave says, and quite good fun to drive particularly if you enjoy changing gear. (Gearbox is fine without the stress of a turbo.)

And of course there are lots of non-Ford alternatives which don't have wet belt issues. (But not Peugeot/Citroen cars with the "Puretech" 3 cylinder 1.2 which does!).

Thanks for all the replies on this matter, bit of a concern given the price, if buying, seems almost worth gambling on new engine v cambelt change given the prices,

wont be my decison, If it was me I would buy alternative engined car

2 hours ago, pilsudski said:

wont be my decison, If it was me I would buy alternative engined car

You can only present the facts, Neil. Coincidentally a pal of mine is going through a similar exercise. (It seems to be yet another cruel twist of life - you acquire a lifetime of wisdom but when you try to pass a bit on, youngsters don't want to know! I was just the same 50  years ago, of course!😀)

Anyway, enough philosophy! On gambling, if the belt does fail the engine seems to be toast, so it's a new engine or gamble again with a used one.

FYI as you may not have seen it, this still seems to be the cheapest 1.0 Ecoboost engine deal we've seen - you can add several thousand at a Ford dealer.

https://pumaspeed.co.uk/product-Brand-new-Ford-Service-10-Ecoboost-Engine_18898.jsp

11 hours ago, pilsudski said:

Thanks Gents yea its 1.0L Petrol,

Unless you are getting the car for free then you'd be crazy to willing buy a 1.0 Ecoboom 🤔

Take Dave's advice and get the 1.25 Zetec, and at least you can then sleep at nights.

Thanks for your advice, I explained situation,and she realises it would be a huge gamble which is simply npot sensible , so has dropped any thoughts of ecoboost,

the zetec 1.25 definetly an option now.

 

Many Thanks once again

You won't regret it, great little car

On 6/20/2024 at 11:03 AM, pilsudski said:

Thanks Gents yea its 1.0L Petrol, apologies for not making clear, Wasnt aware of cambelt issue, blimey thatsa steep price, even if it was half that price

I just bought recently a 1.0 l automatic ecoboost Fiesta titanium,

And getting the wet belt replacement soon,hope it lasts?

6 hours ago, Garrydhu said:

just bought recently a 1.0 l automatic ecoboost Fiesta titanium

A very brave man 👍