Ford Fiesta Mk4 (1995 to 2002)

Ford launched the fourth-generation Fiesta in October 1995. It looked like a softened version of the Mk3, but underneath it was substantially new, with reworked suspension, a stiffer body and a fresh range of engines. Chassis development drew on the lessons of the Mondeo, and the result was widely praised as the best-handling supermini of its day: quick, accurate steering, a supple ride and real agility. The same platform underpinned the Puma coupe and the Mazda 121.

The star of the range was the new 16-valve Zetec-SE engine (part of the Sigma family, developed with Yamaha), offered as a 1.25 and 1.4. The 1.25 in particular was praised by road testers for punching above its size, while the cheaper models kept the old pushrod 1.3. A facelift in October 1999 brought sharper "New Edge" styling, often called the Mk5 in the UK, and the 1.6 Zetec S warm hatch arrived in 2000.

It sold in enormous numbers and was Britain's best-selling car from 1996 to 1998. That ubiquity means most were used up as first cars, fleet cars and runabouts, and survivors in original, unmodified condition are becoming genuinely uncommon. As an emerging modern classic, a well-kept 1.25 Zetec offers a fun, cheap-to-run taste of late-1990s driving, with the caveat that the cabin is cramped in the rear and the plastics are basic.

• Years built: October 1995 to 2002 for Europe; facelift from October 1999. Briefly sold alongside the next Fiesta in 2002.
• Body styles: three- and five-door hatchback; Courier van derivatives.
• Petrol engines: 1,299cc pushrod (Endura-E) 1.3; 1,242cc and 1,388cc Zetec-SE 16-valve; 1,596cc 16-valve from the facelift. Auto Express quotes 74bhp for the 1.25; the Zetec S 1.6 is quoted at about 101bhp.
• Diesel: 1.8 Endura-D non-turbo, with a 1.8 turbodiesel (75bhp according to What Car?) added later.
• Gearboxes: five-speed IB5 manual; CVT automatic.
• Production: no reliable total found; treat any single figure with caution.

• 1995: launch trims included Encore, LX, Si and Ghia. Base cars may lack power steering and electric windows.
• 1998: trim names reshuffled. The entry model became Fusion, then Finesse; Zetec became the mid-range trim (and the entry point for the 16-valve engines).
• October 1999: facelift with an angular nose, new bumpers and wheels, new tailgate badging and minor cabin changes. Side airbags became available.
• 2000: Zetec S introduced with a 1.6 16-valve engine, stiffer anti-roll bars, Puma brakes, a body kit, ABS and traction control. The 1.6 later replaced the 1.4 in the Ghia. A turbodiesel arrived around the same time.
• 2002: replaced by the all-new Fiesta.

Note that a 1999 car could be either pre-facelift or facelift depending on its build date, so check which it is.

Bodywork and structure

• Mainstream reviews rate rust as a lower risk than on older Fords, but these cars are now well over 20 years old. Owners report rot in the rear arches, inner arches and sills (particularly near the rear trailing arm mounts), around the fuel filler, the bottom of the tailgate and the floor under the rear seat.
• Check door bottoms, door and tailgate opening edges, and the windscreen surround.
• Damp front carpets usually point to a leak between the windscreen and bulkhead.
• Look for crash repairs and poor previous welding, and for holes cut in the floor under the rear seat, which some owners made to reach the fuel pump instead of dropping the tank.

Engine

• The Zetec-SE engines are generally robust but intolerant of neglect. Low or dirty oil can damage the bearings, and coolant loss can lead to head gasket failure. Check the oil level and colour, and the coolant level and condition.
• The 1.25 and 1.4 use a timing belt. Ask for proof of replacement; if there is none, budget to have it done.
• Uneven or hunting idle is often a clogged idle control valve, which can usually be cleaned. Misfires are commonly a failing coil pack.
• The 1.3 pushrod engine is simple and tough but slow; listen for excessive rattle.

Gearbox and drivetrain

• The IB5 manual should change cleanly. Listen for whine or rumble and check for synchromesh crunch on each gear.
• Zetec-engined cars have a hydraulic clutch, and owners report slave cylinder failures. Check the pedal feel and look for fluid leaks. The 1.3 uses a cable.
• Owners advise caution with the CVT automatic, which is costly to repair.

Suspension, steering and brakes

• Suspension faults accounted for a large share of reported problems in warranty data quoted by What Car?. Listen for knocks and look for perished or displaced front lower arm bushes.
• Rear trailing arm bushes wear and are awkward to replace. A rising hum from the rear suggests wheel bearings.
• Check brake condition, rims and tyres; many of these cars were first cars and have been kerbed.

Electrics and interior

• Heater controls can stick, and the plastic heater valve in the scuttle can crack and leak coolant.
• The in-tank fuel pump can fail. Test all electric windows, central locking and the sunroof if fitted.
• Look for heavy wear suggesting hard fleet use: worn carpets, scuffed trim and tired driver's seat bolsters. Ghia models have wood-effect dash trim; Zetec S seats and trim are specific to that model.

Identity and paperwork

• Confirm the engine fitted matches the V5C and the badging. A "Zetec" badge is a trim name, so check the actual engine size.
• For Zetec S models, check for the correct body kit, alloys, seats and brakes, as lesser cars are sometimes dressed up.
• A full service history is the best evidence of a car that has not been neglected. Check MOT history online for advisories on corrosion.

Service parts, brakes, suspension components and many body panels remain easy and inexpensive to obtain, thanks to the car's huge sales and shared parts with the Puma. Cosmetic trim, original interior parts and clean, undamaged panels for early cars are becoming harder to find. Any competent garage can maintain the mechanicals, and Ford-focused independents are common. The Fiesta Club of Great Britain caters for all generations of Fiesta; a website could not be verified, so contact details should be confirmed via the club's listing on Car and Classic.

• When was the timing belt last changed, and is there a receipt?
• Has the car had any welding, and where?
• Is this a pre-facelift or facelift car, and what is its exact build date?
• Has the clutch hydraulic system (slave cylinder) been replaced?
• How many owners has it had, and is the service history continuous?