Used Ford Fiesta Van 2018-2022 reliability review

What should I look for in a used Ford Fiesta Van?

When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.

Some Sport Vans have larger alloy wheels that can be susceptible to kerb damage, so check the wheels carefully. Also, look for any dents, dings and scratches to the bodywork, because paint and body repairs can be expensive. Make sure the clutch engages smoothly and that the car goes into gear easily.

The 1.5-litre diesel engine is fitted with a diesel particulate filter (DPF). To ensure that this can regenerate (burn off trapped soot), frequent longer journeys are necessary because this process is only triggered when the exhaust is hot enough. Check how the previous owner has used the car if you are unsure because making lots of short, slow journeys can clog up the filter, potentially leading to an expensive repair bill.

Other potential problems with the DPF can come if the engine has been shut off part way through regeneration. Contamination of the oil system with fuel can result, leading to the oil level rising gradually over time. This can cause damage to the engine, so it’s worth checking the oil level or having the car inspected if you're unsure.

Is a used Ford Fiesta Van reliable?

We consider the Ford Fiesta (as a whole) mixed for reliability. The model finished in 12th place out of 19 cars in the small car class of our 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey, albeit with a reasonably good overall score of 94.9%. It finished above the Audi A1, Skoda Fabia and Volkswagen Polo, but below the Honda Jazz, Mini and Toyota Yaris.

Lengthy stints in the workshop are the main complaint of Ford Fiesta owners, who told us that more than half of their faulty cars took more than a week to repair. Overall, 19% of Fiestas in our survey had a problem, the engine electrics, bodywork and exhaust were the most common problem areas. Although Ford paid for 80% of remedial work, 15% of owners had to fork out up to £200 for repairs.

Ford as a brand finished in 17th place out of 32 car brands in the same survey, with a score of 91.4%. That placed it above Audi, Mercedes and Volkswagen but below Honda, Kia and Skoda.

Used Ford Fiesta Van reliability: the owners' view

Our readers expressed mixed feelings about the Ford Fiesta's reliability and dealer service in our 2023 survey. Many reported issues with warning lights and unexpected noises, leading to repeated dealership visits. Despite these problems, a significant number of owners found the Fiesta generally reliable for daily use.

Feedback on dealer service varied. Some praised the professionalism and prompt repairs, while others found the experiences frustrating due to costly repairs and service delays. Effective communication and problem-resolution by dealerships played a crucial role in overall satisfaction.