It the Bendix  accessible so as to squirt WD40 on it as a cure?

Welcome!
I don't know the design on Fiesta of that age but does it still have a Bendix (inertia) drive?
If it is a single cylinder starter motor, it may have but if it has a solenoid mounted on the top it is pre-engaged meaning the solenoid pulls the gear into engagement first - completely different and more likely to need a new starter motor complete?
If it does have a Bendix then removal to clean and inspect may fix it or not.
But don't take my word for it!

9 hours ago, Lordship said:

It the Bendix  accessible so as to squirt WD40 on it as a cure?

You'll have to fit one first 🤣

2007 Fiesta uses a pre-engaged Starter Motor.

On 12/22/2025 at 7:49 PM, Shearers said:

Welcome!
I don't know the design on Fiesta of that age but does it still have a Bendix (inertia) drive?
If it is a single cylinder starter motor, it may have but if it has a solenoid mounted on the top it is pre-engaged meaning the solenoid pulls the gear into engagement first - completely different and more likely to need a new starter motor complete?
If it does have a Bendix then removal to clean and inspect may fix it or not.
But don't take my word for it!

 

Just now, Lordship said:

 

Thanks for your response.  

That's a blast from the past! A good clean sometimes did help but often the gear was chewed up and needed replacing. Fortunately a cheap and simple job which I often performed back in the 70's.

As a point of interest, anyone know what was the last car with an inertia type starter motor?

50 minutes ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

As a point of interest, anyone know what was the last car with an inertia type starter motor?

My guess is the 1976 Escort Mk2.

I seem to remember the 1977 model had a new fangled 'Pre-engaged' thingy 🤣

1 hour ago, unofix said:

My guess is the 1976 Escort Mk2.

I seem to remember the 1977 model had a new fangled 'Pre-engaged' thingy 🤣

That sounds likely. The last car I recall on which I had a Bendix problem was a Mk 1 Escort.