Used Ford Fiesta for sale: everything you need to know
The Ford Fiesta is Britain’s best-selling new car of all time. It’s ruled the sales charts for years and for good reason.
Not only is it cheap to buy and run, but it’s also great fun to drive. The latest models also have impressive amounts of technology for a small car, and more space than you might think. A range of efficient and punchy petrol engines, and the fast and fun Ford Fiesta ST, means there’s something for everyone.
Rivals for the Ford Fiesta are wide ranging and include the Volkswagen Polo, the equally popular Vauxhall Corsa and the good value Skoda Fabia. But none of those have ever been as successful as the humble Ford Fiesta. Competition also includes the Toyota Yaris, the stylish Peugeot 208 and the reliable Nissan Micra.
Should you buy a Ford Fiesta?
The Ford Fiesta is a great car to buy both new and used. It appeals to a wide variety of motorists, from the oldest to the youngest and everyone in-between. Perhaps you’re after a used Ford Fiesta as a first car or cheap commuter car. Or, you’re looking at a new Ford Fiesta as your second car or main car. You can’t really go wrong with one, particularly given how affordable they are to buy and run.
All Ford Fiestas in the last decade or so are fantastic to drive, setting the standard in the small car class for ride and handling. Most have peppy Ecoboost turbo petrol engines, but there are diesel models available if you’re buying used that offer impressive fuel economy.
The latest Ford Fiesta, which was launched in 2017, also comes with big car levels of technology in a small car thanks to the feature-packed SYNC 3 infotainment. And although it won’t swallow up a large family, there’s enough space inside for four adults and a bit of luggage if needed.
Hot hatch fans will love the Ford Fiesta ST. Whether it’s the previous generation or the latest model which went on sale in late 2018, both are hilariously good fun to drive and still pretty affordable. In fact, the Ford Fiesta ST is one of the best usable small sports cars ever made.
Rivals such as the Volkswagen Polo and Hyundai i20 offer a bit more space inside and slightly more of a quality feel. But neither are as cheap to buy as the Ford, nor are they as good to drive.
If you want a small car that puts enjoyment and value front and centre, while still ticking plenty of rational boxes, the Ford Fiesta is the car for you. For those needing more space but a similar feel to the Ford Fiesta, the Ford Puma is definitely worth a look.
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What’s the best used Ford Fiesta model to buy?
While the 1.5-litre TDCi turbodiesel engines are perfect for those who rack up large mileage in their Ford Fiesta, our pick is one of the 1.0-litre Ecoboost petrols. These turbocharged three-cylinder motors are among the best of the glut of engines of the same cylinder count and capacity used in many small hatchbacks now.
You can have a six-speed automatic coupled to the 100PS 1.0-litre engine, but we’d rather have the smooth-shifting six-speed manual. We’d also avoid the 1.1-litre petrol with its five-speed gearbox that now feels quite dated next to its sibling engines.
The three-door Ford Fiesta perhaps looks a little sportier, but we’d choose the five-door for its greater practicality. As for trim, the Trend is perhaps a little too basic, so better to look at the well equipped Titanium and Titanium X versions or the ST-Line if you want something with a racier slant.
Used Ford Fiesta fuel economy and performance
Ford Fiesta 1.1L Ti-VCT petrol: The most affordable and cheapest to run Ford Fiesta comes with a 1.1-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine putting out a modest 75PS. Offered only with a five-speed manual gearbox, it does 0-62mph in 14.5 seconds and is claimed to achieve 53.4mpg combined.
Ford Fiesta 1.0L Ecoboost 100PS: The most popular engine in the Ford Fiesta lineup is the 100PS version of the three-cylinder 1.0-litre Ecoboost turbo petrol engine. Offered only with a six-speed manual gearbox, it does 0-62mph in 10.8 seconds and promises fuel economy of 53.3mpg combined.
Ford Fiesta 1.0L Ecoboost 125PS mHEV: The top engine in the 2022 Ford Fiesta range uses a 125PS version of the 1.0-litre Ecoboost turbo petrol engine. It’s mated to a mild-hybrid system which reduces emissions and improves economy. It’s capable of 0-62mph in 9.4 seconds and promises fuel economy of 56.5mpg combined.
Ford Fiesta ST 1.5L Ecoboost 200PS: A separate model in its own right, the hot Ford Fiesta ST uses a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine with 200PS. Putting power through a six-speed manual gearbox, it does 0-62mph in just 6.5 seconds and combined fuel consumption is 44.1mpg.
What used Ford Fiesta trim levels are available?
The Ford Fiesta is available in a variety of trim levels, ranging from the cheapest Trend model to the rugged Active trim. There’s also the fast and fun Ford Fiesta ST.
The Ford Fiesta was facelifted in 2022, with a redesigned front-end and revised specs. It’s still the same car underneath, but if you’re looking at buying or leasing a used one it may have different trim levels. Here is a breakdown of the 2022 Ford Fiesta models.
The Ford Fiesta Trend is the affordable entry point into the range. It’s the only trim level available with the base non-turbo 1.1-litre Ti-VCT petrol engine mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. But it can also be ordered with 100PS and 125PS versions of the 1.0-litre Ecoboost turbo engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.
The Ford Fiesta Titanium is the more desirable mid-spec model with extra equipment and style. Available with the 100PS and mild-hybrid 125PS versions of the Ecoboost turbo petrol engine, it can also be had with a seven-speed Powershift automatic gearbox.
The Ford Fiesta ST-Line is the one you buy if you want the sporty look and feel of a Fiesta ST, but with cheaper and more fuel efficient engines. It gets the same 100PS and 125PS mild-hybrid Ecoboost engine options as Titanium, with the seven-speed Powershfit auto also offered.
The Ford Fiesta Active sits at the top end of the range and is designed to give the Fiesta some small SUV flavour. It gets ‘rough road’ suspension, a taller ride height and new body styling with roof rails. It has the same three petrol engine options as the above two trims.
The Titanium, ST-Line and Active models are also available with a posher Ford Fiesta Vignale upgrade. The Ford Fiesta Titanium Vignale, ST-Line Vignale and Active Vignale all get extra equipment inside and out to make them look and feel more upmarket.
Used Ford Fiesta dimensions and boot size
The Ford Fiesta’s dimensions are:
The Ford Fiesta’s boot size is:
Used Ford Fiesta road tax
All Ford Fiestas registered since 1 April 2017 will cost a flat rate of £180/year in VED (tax), apart from the mild-hybrid models which qualify for an annual discount of £10 (meaning you'll pay £170 a year). That's the same as any of its competitors - if you're looking for free road tax, you'll need an electric alternative like the Vauxhall Corsa-e or Peugeot e-208.
How much is it to insure a Ford Fiesta?
The Ford Fiesta falls into insurance group 4 in entry level 1.1 Ti-VCT 75PS Trend form. Rising to a minimum of group 10 for the Ecoboost 100 engine. The Ford Fiesta Ecoboost Hybrid 125 version of the same engine in Titanium trim starts at group 15, and the 155PS Ecoboost Hybrid in ST-Line X trim tops the range out at group 20.
Read our full Ford Fiesta review
