I'm looking at buying my wife a Ford Fiesta, ideally a new shape from 2008. She will be doing about 10,000 miles a year so was thinking of a diesel (I've always owned diesels and just bought a 2011 1.6 TDCI Focus) I hear the DPF were fitted from March 2010 so would like to buy one earlier than that. Alternatively I buy her a 1.25 petrol. Would be grateful for any advice, in particular anything I should look for when viewing / test driving as we need to buy something in the next 2 weeks.

Thanks

Darren 

 

 

Good service history would be beneficial.

But the 1.4 TDCI engine is good? No turbo problems?

It's taken me weeks to find the right 1.6 TDCI focus as turbos were failing until they changed the engine in MK3 2011 and the 2011 > 115bhp is the one to go for.

I just want a good economical and reliable car for my wife.

Thanks

.Personally I would go for a Petrol engine with that mileage. The 1.25/1.4/1.6 Duratec Petrol engine is basically bulletproof. Less economical than the TDCI diesel engine but the maintenance costs for the Duratec petrol engine will be lower than the maintenance costs for the diesel engine.

The 8-valve 1.4 TDCI is a lot less problematic than the 16-valve 1.6 TDCI. However leaking or defective fuel injectors are quite common on the 1.4 TDCI. Replacing the fuel injectors will cost quite a lot of money.

get a petrol,

Thank you for the replies - I now agree that we should get a Petrol Fiesta and having spoken to a local garage they recommend the 1.25 over the 1.4.

Hopefully we will find one with the right spec and mileage soon

 

What's your budget?

I have had a 1.25 as a courtesy car and it was pretty breathless.  I found it was also pretty poor on fuel economy as you have to rev the nuts off of it to get anywhere.