Used Ford Fiesta cars for sale

Ford Fiesta buying guide

About the Ford Fiesta

The Ford Fiesta has been a favourite for British drivers since 1976. It regularly occupied the top slot in the UK's car sales charts, with around 40,000 examples finding homes every year while it was still available brand new. The appeal of Ford’s smallest model lies in its mix of fun driving dynamics, affordable running costs and a wide servicing network. The most recent model has moved a little upmarket without forgetting what made it so great in the first place.

What versions of the Ford Fiesta are there?

There’s something for everyone in the Ford Fiesta range. It's available as either a three or five-door hatchback, with everything from entry-level models perfect for learner drivers, to the feisty Fiesta ST that’s arguably the pick of supermini hot hatches, or the Fiesta Vignale that goes large on premium touches. The Fiesta’s kept bang up to date too – there are mild-hybrid versions to help eke out extra mpg, while Active models add some rugged crossover attitude.

When it launched in 2018, the Fiesta range started with a no-frills Style model that effectively took the place of the discontinued Ford Ka. Next up was Zetec, but in more recent times these have both been superseded by the Trend trim level, which is now the entry-level Fiesta. ST-Line edition adds sporty styling, while mid-range Titanium swaps the sporty look for more restrained styling and more equipment. For the most luxury features crammed into a Fiesta, go for the Vignale.

What features does the Ford Fiesta have?

The Fiesta made a big push upmarket with its most recent generation, and technology led the way. Even the most basic examples get an eight-inch Ford Sync touchscreen to control all your infotainment functions, two USB sockets, DAB radio and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. It doesn't end there, with driver assistance features including cruise control with adjustable speed limiter and lane-keeping technology standard across the range.

Compared to the 2008-2017 Fiesta, the latest model has a much cleaner dashboard design – the last Fiesta had a smorgasbord of buttons beneath a tiny, far-away screen. The latest Fiesta’s touchscreen works very well and is easy to operate – a good thing now that it’s home to more of the car’s features.

The Fiesta feels well-built and some of the materials you’ll touch feel high-quality, even if a Volkswagen Polo or a Mini feel that bit more premium inside. But there’s good all-round visibility and, as we touched on above, plenty of gizmos to keep you entertained on long drives.

The Fiesta is no longer the most spacious supermini on the block – it’s beaten by the Honda Jazz and VW Polo for passenger space and boot capacity – but it’s still one to stick on your shortlist. Adults will be fine in the rear, but taller friends might have complaints about the head and legroom on offer. The circa-300-litre boot is plenty for a small pushchair or a judiciously packed weekend away, and you can flip the rear seats down if you need to carry bigger items.

Ford Fiesta engine range explained

(Most popular!) Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost petrol

Ford’s turbocharged 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine is found in most newer Fiestas, and it’s a peach. Capable of nearly 50mpg and nippy acceleration, it’s a great all-rounder that’s good for town driving and motorway jaunts. When launched it came with either 100hp, 125hp or 140hp. More recently, the latter two engines received mild-hybrid assistance in the form of a small battery and electric motor. This switch also saw the 140hp engine swapped for a 155hp version. Most models come with a snicky manual gearbox but an automatic is optionally available.

Ford Fiesta 1.1 Ti-VCT petrol

It might be a bigger engine, but Ford’s 1.1-litre petrol doesn’t come with a turbocharger so it’s less powerful than the 1.0 EcoBoost. The 1.1 is the entry-level engine, only available with the Style, Zetec and Trend trim levels. It won’t set the road on fire with its performance, but the upshot is that it’s cheaper to insure than 1.0-litre Fiestas. Over the years, it’s been offered with either 70hp or 85hp. If your budget will stretch, we’d recommend the 1.0-litre EcoBoost over this 1.1-litre engine.

Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 EcoBoost petrol

Exclusive to the range-topping Ford Fiesta ST and Puma ST, this 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol is much more powerful than the 1.0 EcoBoost engines. This 200hp fizz-fest is one of the main reasons why the Fiesta ST is widely regarded as one of the best hot hatches you can buy. The Fiesta ST also has fantastic handling, yet retains all the positives of the standard car. It’s even quite economical when you settle down to a cruise.

Ford Fiesta 1.5 EcoBlue diesel

Ford no longer offers its 1.5-litre diesel on the latest-generation Fiesta, but it did when the model first came out, and you’ll sometimes find these little gems popping up in the Motorpoint network. With a claimed 74.3mpg, they’re a great way to keep running costs in check. But they’re no good for frequent short journeys – we’d only suggest a diesel Fiesta if you’re going to be spending a lot of time on the motorway.

How safe is a Ford Fiesta?

The Fiesta should be very safe – it was awarded a five-star safety score from Euro NCAP in 2017. Its scores for adult and child protection are 87% and 84% respectively, which are impressive for a small car. One thing to note is that the safety tests are made tougher nearly every year – with a particular focus on active safety tech like automatic emergency braking and lane-keep assist – so the Fiesta’s result isn’t directly comparable with rivals that have been tested more recently.

Is the Ford Fiesta a good car?

Yes. By pretty much any measure, the Ford Fiesta is a good car. In fact, it makes a strong case for itself as the best supermini-sized hatchback for the price. Its handling is direct, accurate and confidence-inspiring, the ride quality is reasonably strong, and there's enough space and equipment inside to keep you entertained on long journeys. It's a shame Ford's decided to stop selling the Fiesta brand new – shifting focus to the Puma SUV – but there are still plenty of recent, well-priced examples on the used market. Our full Ford Fiesta review goes into much more detail on this popular hatchback.