Ford Fusion 1.6 TDCi +

Ford Fusion - diesel. This reliability of this car has been most disappointing. In its first year I had to call the RAC out more times than I did in 8 years of ownership of my previous Citroen ZX. So far, at about 45,000 miles:

1. Engine stopped and would not restart, until RAC man opened the bonnet about 90 minutes after failure. Only one failure of this nature so far.

2. Engine fan continued to run after engine switched off. No indication in the handbook of where the appropriate fuse was, so had to run engine for 85 minutes until RAC man found the appropriate fuse by trial and error. Failure has not recurred since, but I have recently jump started a Ford Focus with the same engine, parked outside my house, when the battery of his brand new car - 3 days old - ran down for the same reason

3. Leak from waterpump - c. 2 litres a day. Replaced under warranty.

4. Slow leak from thermostat housing. Will be replaced under warranty when and if Ford can supply dealer with the correct parts; as I understand the dealer, the parts which Ford has sent them, don't fit, and the dealer says that Ford have been unable to respond to requests for technical support on this issue.

Otherwise, quite a practical vehicle, with good mpg. Could do with better storage for maps, reading and sun glasses etc. My service garage tells me that high mileage cars using this engine are prone to turbo failure, connected with poor lubrication.

In retrospect, I would have been better off with a Citroen Berlingo, although I believe the Fusion's diesel engine is, in fact, made by PSA.

The second of Ford Fusin+ 1.6TDCi owned in the last 15 months. The previous 07 reg car did 24,000 trouble free miles in 11 months (bought with 10,000 miles).

That car averaged 62 mpg. This car is not quite there yet as it has only covered 10,000 miles. The latest one was bought 9 months old with 9,000 miles. As a ford Direct car it has 2 years full Ford warranty with recovery at a saving of £7,000 off list price. Extreme economy with luxury -full leather, ESP traction control, voice activated bluetooth radio/ phone are just some of the extras. Mileage money from my company paid to change as the running costs are so low. Note that the 1.6TDCi is the car to have - much more powerful and economical than the 06 reg Fiesta 1.4tdci previously owned. Cheap as chips!