Used Ford Fiesta (Mk7 2017-2023) buyers guide: a solid second-hand supermini

Verdict

Consumer tastes have changed a lot over the past decade or so, with SUVs of every size in demand. It’s one of the reasons why the Ford Fiesta wasn’t viable any more, but for a great swathe of people a small hatchback is just the job, and if you’re one of them you should still find the Fiesta incredibly endearing. 

There’s no denying that the compact Ford fared badly in our most recent Driver Power survey, but it’s never done very well despite the fact that the Ford has so much to offer. Engine failure is a genuine concern, but the key is to buy a well specced car that’s been serviced meticulously and driven carefully. There are plenty of these about, but for peace of mind, you’ll need to look at a few Fiestas before buying.

Blockbuster video. Woolworths. BHS. Toys R Us. The Ford Fiesta. All huge brands with the world at their feet, but all of these institutions are now history, although Ford is planning an EV resurrection for its supermini. 

In production for almost half a century, for much of that time the Fiesta was the UK’s biggest-selling car and it was a smash hit across Europe, too. But small cars became unprofitable and buyers gravitated towards SUVs instead. We were all shocked when the Ford was axed, but there are still loads of great used examples to buy – and buying one makes a lot of sense.

History

The Fiesta Mk7 arrived in July 2017, with a 69/84bhp non-turbo 1.1-litre petrol engine, a turbocharged 1.0-litre unit with 99bhp, 124bhp or 138bhp, or an 84/119bhp 1.5 TDCi diesel. 

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In March 2018, the 197bhp Fiesta ST arrived with three or five doors, with ST-1, ST-2 and ST-3 trims. The ST Performance Edition of April 2019 (600 were available), was based on the three-door ST-3 with orange paint, 18-inch alloys and uprated suspension. 

Updates in July 2020 brought improved infotainment, extra safety tech and the option of a mild-hybrid 1.0 engine with 124bhp or 153bhp. A facelift in September 2021 introduced a refreshed nose design, standard LED headlights and digital instrumentation. The final Fiesta was made in July 2023.

Which should I buy?

Diesels aren’t fashionable, especially in the supermini class, but a TDCi could be just the thing if you do lots of miles. The non-turbo 1.1-litre engine lacks zest, but is fine if you mainly do urban driving. Stick with a manual gearbox if possible, because the autos aren’t very slick. 

The entry-level Style had steel wheels but it came with air-con, Bluetooth, electric front windows and electrically operated door mirrors. The Zetec added 15-inch alloys, a heated windscreen, Apple CarPlay and a 6.5-inch touchscreen.

Titanium brought 16-inch alloys, an eight-inch touchscreen, privacy glass, climate and cruise control, keyless go and automatic wipers. The Titanium X added powered rear windows for five-door models, part-leather trim, heated front seats and steering wheel, plus premium audio. The ST-Line had 17-inch alloys, sports suspension and seats, plus a bodykit.

Prices

There are thousands of eighth-generation Fiesta for sale, and you can bag one for as little as £4,000 if you don’t mind buying a high-mileage example privately; most traders want upwards of £5,000, even for something that’s done 100,000 miles. 

Diesels are very rare, but hybrids are more common; they account for about one in 10 of the Fiestas available and are priced from £10,000 for a 90,000-mile example on a 22-plate (you’re unlikely to find a hybrid registered before this).

About one in 10 Fiestas is an auto and these are priced from £6,000 for an 18-plate 1.0 Zetec that’s done 100,000 miles. You’ll be doing well to find an ST-1, but prices for ST-2s start at £8,500 for a 100,000-mile example on a 68-plate; an equivalent ST-3 carries a £1,000 premium. The ceiling for Fiesta Mk7 prices is £22,000 for a late, low-mileage ST Performance Edition.

Check the price of a used Ford Fiesta with our free car valuation tool…

On the road

The Fiesta was always one of the best-handling cars in the supermini segment, and the Mk7 was no different. You could spend far more on a sporting model and not enjoy driving it as much as the Fiesta, which not only has superb steering, but it’s also surprisingly comfortable for such a small car that handles so well. 

There’s plenty of grip and at high speeds the Fiesta feels stable and reassuring, while rear disc brakes were standard on any car with 99bhp or more. These traits apply to the standard Fiesta, while the ST hot hatch is even more fun to drive with its uprated chassis.

Alternatives

The Fiesta is up against some stiff opposition, including the Skoda Fabia, SEAT Ibiza and VW Polo, all of which are essentially the same car. They’re all plentiful and easy to live with, just like the Toyota Yaris and Honda Jazz; the latter is one of the roomiest and versatile cars in the segment. 

The Peugeot 208 is another strong contender; newer models are closely related to the Vauxhall Corsa, which has always been the Fiesta’s nemesis. The Renault Clio has a wide range of talents, just like the Hyundai i20 and its cousin, the Kia Rio. We’re also big fans of the Suzuki Swift, while the MINI and Audi A1 are very appealing, but more costly than the Fiesta.

What to look for

Wet belt and regular oil changes

The 1.0 engine’s wet-belt design was replaced by a chain from 2019. Meticulous maintenance will stave off cambelt failures that cost at least £1,000 to fix; regular oil changes are vital.

Running gear

The Powershift auto gearbox can fail; feel for vibrations and ensure gearchanges are smooth. Some early cars suffered from engine oil leaks, while clutches can wear quickly.

Other glitches

The rear door seals can fail, allowing water into the cabin. Batteries sometimes don’t last long, and infotainment issues occur, usually because a software update is needed.

The Fiesta ST

September 2021 brought a much-revised Fiesta ST, with a sportier exterior design, new wheel designs, more supportive seats and a Track driving mode. It was still rated at 197bhp.

Interior

The Fiesta Mk7 had a refreshed look compared with the Mk6, and the newer car was longer, roomier and had a more grown-up dashboard. But some of the tech, such as the nav and instrumentation, was outclassed. Cabin space was good, though, as were the fit and finish, and boot space was competitive, at 292 litres, or 1,093 litres with the back seats folded down.

Running costs

This is one of the reasons why Fiestas are so appealing: they tend to be very cheap to run. The service interval is set at two years or 18,000 miles for cars with the 1.0-litre engine, two years or 20,000 miles for the 1.5 TDCi, and one year or 12,500 miles for the 1.5 Ecoboost. 

Now that all Fiestas are more than three years old, they’re eligible for Ford’s discounted Essentials maintenance, which means £209 for a service and £80 for fresh brake fluid, which is due every two years. An Essential service plan allows two services for £370. 

Insurance groups range from two to 20 (25-30 for the ST) and road tax is £200 per year for all Fiestas (none cost more than £40,000 when new). Most models should return around 45mpg; however, buy a diesel and you can get around 60mpg from it.

Recalls

Ford has recalled the Fiesta Mk7 11 times. One campaign (January 2021) was only for the hybrid, due to loose battery connections. In September 2023 a recall was issued for the Fiesta ST, because of faulty speedos. The other nine actions were for the Fiesta more generally, starting in March 2018 because of brake servo failures. 

Next came recalls because of seatbelt glitches (December 2019 and April 2021), sub-standard steering columns (January 2020), faulty crankshaft sensors (October 2021), damaged oil separators (April 2022) and loose suspension (June 2023). Also in the mix was 

an action because of chafing fuel lines (March 2025), while the latest campaign was down to rear camera failures; that came in September 2025.

Driver Power owner satisfaction

In our 2025 Driver Power survey the Fiesta came 48th out of 50. It’s never done well in our polls; its best score was 46th in 2024 and when it has appeared, it’s been near the bottom of the table. 

With just one top-20 position (switchgear user-friendliness), most of the Fiesta’s rankings are near the foot of the standings, including last places for exterior quality, refinement and the availability of interior storage spaces. Boot space, navigation and connectivity all fare badly.

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