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Ford builds some of the most popular cars in the UK, including the Fiesta and Focus hatchbacks.

This success is partly down to longevity and the fact that there’s a Ford dealer around every corner. However, it’s also because Fords tend to offer good value and be among the best cars in their respective classes to drive.

The company’s huge range also helps; it offers everything from the small – but surprisingly practical – Ka+ to the large and lavishly equipped Edge SUV.

Meanwhile, other highlights of the range include the S-Max and Galaxy people carriers, the Mondeo executive car and the Ranger pick-up.

FORD

FOCUS C-MAX

It's a practical five-seat car with a sparkling drive

Used Ford Focus C-MAX MPV 2003 - 2007

You'll pay about the same for a C-Max as for a Renault Scenic and less than for the Corolla-based Toyota Verso or Volkswagen Touran.

Owners cited cheap insurance as one of the C-Max's best features in JD Power customer satisfaction surveys. Most 1.6 petrols and 1.6 diesels slot into group 5 or 6, while the rest are between group 7 and 10. The 2.0-litre petrol Ghia will hit you for group 12, though.

Your wallet won't take a beating at the fuel station. The 2.0 petrol's official average of 39mpg is as bad as it gets. The diesels should stretch that beyond 50mpg and the 1.6 TDCi can nudge 60mpg with a careful right foot.

Servicing will set you back about the same as for a Picasso or Verso, but is likely to be dearer than for a Scenic or Touran.

It's a practical five-seat car with a sparkling drive

There are three petrol engines. The 1.6 can feel underpowered when you're loaded up, but the 1.8 is a smooth, free-revving engine and the 2.0 gives the added punch of 143bhp.

We prefer the three diesels, though. Apart from the extra fuel economy, they dish out plenty of pull at lower revs, so they are more relaxing and easier in day-to-day driving.

The 1.6 TDCi is decent, but we'd choose the 1.8 TDCi or ideally, the 2.0 TDCi for its bigger muscle and six-speed gearbox, which is great for cruising. All models come with twin front, side and curtain airbags as well as anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution.

You get very few creature comforts in Studio trim, so steer clear of it. Air-con and a CD player appear in LX trim. Zetec (our favourite) adds alloy wheels and top-trim Ghia gives cruise control, climate control and electric rear windows.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all the family and their paraphernalia</li> <li>Comfortable ride for everyone inside</li> <li>Seats with plenty of adjustment and versatility of layout</li> <li>Engine that can cope with a full load of people and luggage</li> <li>Excellent efficiency to avoid big fuel bills</li></ul>

Practicality is king in the MPV market, which has taken a hit as buyers have turned towards trendier SUVs. There are still plenty of decent offerings to suit most budgets, though, with Citroën fielding a particularly strong line-up. The French manufacturer’s Berlingo offers bags of space for not much money and you can easily haggle off thousands of extra pounds in discounts, too.

Citroën also scores with the larger Grand C4 Spacetourer, which offers seven seats, lots of oddment space and appealing running costs for something so large. A similarly priced and even better option is the Volkswagen Touran. Meanwhile, if you prefer a premium badge, there's always the BMW 2 Series Active and Gran Tourers or Mercedes B-Class and V-Class.

But for something sizeable that's still decent to drive, we’d recommend you check out the Ford Galaxy, which can offer three rows of seats and decent luggage space at the same time. It’s not that much pricier than the smaller S-Max.

This isn't Ford's best-built car by a long way. Owners report problems with mechanical reliability, bodywork, interior trim and controls - and not just in JD Power customer satisfaction surveys. A read through the reader reviews on this website shows that you need to give the C-Max a close inspection before buying.

The electronic parking brake can give trouble and there has been a recall over this, so ensure that any remedial work has been done. Likewise, there was a recall on the wiper motor over concerns that it may overheat.

Watch for misfires on 2.0 diesels and 1.8 petrols - often caused by a faulty ECU. This is more common on early cars, although Ford sorted many under its three-year/60,000-mile warranty.

The instrument panel can fail completely and there are many reports of rattles and squeaks inside the cabin, so listen out for them on the test drive.

The chassis is the same as the regular Focus hatchback's, and it shows. The handling is sharp, the steering more accurate than any other MPV's, and there's minimal body roll (passengers will like that as much as the driver).

The firm ride is never uncomfortable and the diesels have plenty of pulling power. All models cruise quietly at motorway speeds.

Inside, there are only five seats, so it isn't as versatile as the very best compact MPVs, and the rear three individual seats are heavy and awkward to remove - don't try it on your own. Even so, it's spacious enough for three adults in the rear and there's a decent-sized boot.

The raised driving position gives good visibility, and is surrounded by well-placed controls and you'll find handy storage areas dotted throughout the cabin.

It achieved a very creditable four out of five stars in Euro NCAP crash tests.

Used Ford Focus C-MAX MPV 2003 - 2007 reliability

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Used Ford Focus C-MAX MPV 2003 - 2007 review

This isn't Ford's best-built car by a long way. Owners report problems with mechanical reliability, bodywork, interior trim and controls - and not just in JD Power customer satisfaction surveys. A read through the reader reviews on this website shows that you need to give the C-Max a close inspection before buying.,The electronic parking brake can give trouble and there has been a recall over this, so ensure that any remedial work has been done. Likewise, there was a recall on the wiper motor over concerns that it may overheat.,Watch for misfires on 2.0 diesels and 1.8 petrols - often caused by a faulty ECU. This is more common on early cars, although Ford sorted many under its three-year/60,000-mile warranty.The instrument panel can fail completely and there are many reports of rattles and squeaks inside the cabin, so listen out for them on the test drive.

What to look for when buying a Ford Focus C-Max 2003 - 2007, covering common problems to check for and overall vehicle reliability.

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Used Ford Focus C-MAX MPV 2003 - 2007 reliability

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