Would you buy a MK4 Mondeo now?

[Hugo Stiglitz]

I know how they steer, I did a advanced course in one. Loved it however that was a few years back.

Would a 2012 one be just too old? I'd keep it a few years and look after it but still, have I missed the boat?

I don't want something that will rot and be a liability so annual history etc and reasonably low mileage will be the order of the day.

[Huntsman]

I had one.

In my opinion, have owned 4 big ford estates, the Mk4 being the last, was also the stest.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

What was wrong with it

[Fastdruid]

Bought mine in 2013 with the intention to only keep in two years.... 100k later I've still got it and still struggling to find anything to replace it that drives as well, is reliable, spacious and doesn't cost a fortune in maintenance.

Question really is which engine/gearbox are you after some are much better than others (I wouldn't personally touch a powershift although some people haven't had them grenade themselves).

Obviously you have the issue that the *newest* ones are coming up to 10 years old, the oldest are now 16 years old and you have all the generic issues that go with cars that old.

[Yomamaisasnowblower]

If you do go for one, avoid models with the Sat Nav which houses the HVAC etc. They always go wrong and need a full swap out and it's a crap unit anyway. Have one in my smax dog/tip car and I have no blowers or heat whatsoever. Otherwise, a damn good workhorse.

[Fastdruid]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

I don't want something that will rot

IMO rust protection is pretty good on the Mondeo, we had a Mk2 previously and at 14 years old the arches were just starting to go very, very slightly crusty.

The Mk4 is better, mine is 15 years old now with just shy of 160k. There is a *tiny* bit of bubbling on the bottom of the offside passenger door and arch but I think that is from from a previous repair. Other than that the brake dust covers have gone a bit frilly (on my list to replace them, they're only £15 but a sod to to) and the (original) exhaust is on its last legs.

Compare and contrast to the Mazda 6 MPS we had which was quite rusty by 10 years old (and generating MOT advisories) and by 12 years old I had to patch big holes in the sills!

Obviously will be different if you get one that's been parked by the sea or lived in Scotland all its life!

[Hugo Stiglitz]

I think that's mazda! My mx5s were getting rusty after just a few years

[Fastdruid]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

I think that's mazda! My mx5s were getting rusty after just a few years

Well quite. And still aren't as bad as the same era Mercedes!

[ZX10R NIN]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

I know how they steer, I did a advanced course in one. Loved it however that was a few years back.

Would a 2012 one be just too old? I'd keep it a few years and look after it but still, have I missed the boat?

I don't want something that will rot and be a liability so annual history etc and reasonably low mileage will be the order of the day.

They're a good car & reliable as above avoid the sat nav models get a nice one & it'll serve you well.

[Huntsman]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

What was wrong with it

Infected by the nanny state, endless beeping, parking sensors, seat belt, door open, needs oil change, needs washer fluid, needs fuel, it just would not STFU.

It was a 1.6 diesel, mapped for emissions which got it into the £30/yr tax bracket at the expensive of the low down throttle response being so bad it was a danger.

st engine, completely lack lustre, I wasnt expecting swiftness, but it was apalling.

The ride was brutal, a miserable excuse for ride quality on what should have been a big comfy family car. Horrid. We hated getting in it.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

I'm going nowhere near the 1.6 PSA engine.

[SlowV6]

I have a mk4.5 2.0tdci manual 163bhp Titanium X estate with optional Westminster pleather, the style pack and the aforementioned sat nav unit (which has been totally fine).

I think that is the sweetspot personally unless Ulez is an issue or if you do very few miles, in which case the 2.5T is most interesting. You can't get the 2.5T in the face-lift however.

Mine cost me £4.5k in May 2021 and I have been very happy with it. Its only downsides are a bit of a lacklustre engine and it's size in car parks.

I also considered a Superb at the time but this came up.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Oops I've bought it

[stevemcs]

Good choice, mines a 2.2 and the only thing to watch out for on these is the exhaust, Ford is the only option and they are £650 each. Other than that I don’t think anything else has fallen off. Oh and the intercooler hoses split.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

stevemcs said:

Good choice, mines a 2.2 and the only thing to watch out for on these is the exhaust, Ford is the only option and they are £650 each. Other than that I don’t think anything else has fallen off. Oh and the intercooler hoses split.

If its like my old Subaru Legacy (Subaru only and they wanted £1200 10 years ago!) - I'd look at a custom fit bit.

[stevemcs]

That’s what I would have done except nobody around here does them.

[Andy 308GTB]

2011 2 litre petrol. Titanium X. Bought at 1 year old and with 10,000 miles on it (ex Ford lease). Now with 120,000 on the clock. Love it to bits. Vast boot takes 4 large suitcases (hence was popular with cabbies).

Very reliable and cheap to maintain. It's never been garaged but original clutch and exhaust. I replaced the auxillary belt a couple of years back and I had to replace a drive shaft (split gaiter) last year. Other than that the usual consumables. Drinks a bit of oil these days but not excessive.
Bodywork is rock solid barring a rotting lower rear door - but that was where a bodywork repair was done.

[breamster]

I've got a 2010 2.2 and have added 70k ish miles in the last 8 years. 145k miles on the clock now.

Very cheap to run, reliable and the bodywork is still good. Apart from one turbo hose its only needed consumables i think.

I do keep looking at replacements but can't bring myself to spend the money. It's a good drive. When I get a big bill I'll change it but in the meantime I'll keep it.

If mpg is a factor avoid the 2.2.