Ford Escort 1.6 Zetec - opinions?

[vit4]

Gf's got her test shortly so looking for a car, been keeping an eye peeled for a while. One of my mechanic's customers are selling a Ford Escort on an S reg, full service history. Mechanic's daughter owned it from 2000 so it's been looked after mechanically perfectly. Bodywork's a bit tatty but it's a good price and nothing I couldn't fix on an afternoon anyway. Wondered what these engines are like durability/reliability wise? It's the 1.6 petrol, done just under 120,000 miles but runs sweet as a nut (better than any others I've heard for sure). Cambelt changed a year ago, clutch a couple of years etc. Is it a case of if it's been looked after it'll run forever or do they tend to go pop after a certain mileage?

Cheers

[VeeFour]

Rust, rust and more rust.

[Mike 820]

I had a 1.6 Escort as my second car. IIRC I had it from 96,000 to 112,000 miles.

During that time the only thing that needed changing was the idle control valve, which I believe can be quite common, and the alternator.

Apart from that it did feel like a very robust enginge. Started first time every time.

Nice and easy to look after yourself and the parts/consumables are cheap enough if anything does go.

[vit4]

VeeFour said:

Rust, rust and more rust.

A bit of scabbing on the wheel arches but nothing major Rear chassis is fine.

Looked at one a few weeks ago which the bodywork was like it had just come out of the factory. Never been serviced though

[frosted]

Your gf must really love you

[wattsie_2004]

vit4 said:

Gf's got her test shortly so looking for a car, been keeping an eye peeled for a while. One of my mechanic's customers are selling a Ford Escort on an S reg, full service history. Mechanic's daughter owned it from 2000 so it's been looked after mechanically perfectly. Bodywork's a bit tatty but it's a good price and nothing I couldn't fix on an afternoon anyway. Wondered what these engines are like durability/reliability wise? It's the 1.6 petrol, done just under 120,000 miles but runs sweet as a nut (better than any others I've heard for sure). Cambelt changed a year ago, clutch a couple of years etc. Is it a case of if it's been looked after it'll run forever or do they tend to go pop after a certain mileage?

Cheers

My first car was one of those; S reg, FSH, 120k miles but it rusted through the rear chassis rails. Mind even when the scrappy took it away it still started first time despite spending its final days being ragged around some private land. Even without a water pump it just kept on going!

The rust got it and I can't weld hence wasn't worth fixing. Mechanically it was sound.

[AndyT77]

My ex wife had one as her second car, was a decent enough steed, and with no electric windows, mirrors, etc to go wrong, all it cost her over 3 years was new tyres, battery and exhaust. Mind you that was about 6 years ago, seems like the others have said that rust may be an issue.

[Jw Vw]

VeeFour said:

Rust, rust and more rust.

Other than that not bad first cars.

[S3K04]

Thirsty on the MPG