Used Ford Mondeo Estate 2007-2015 review

The declining popularity of large cars such as the Ford Mondeo Estate in recent years can be attributed to the seemingly unstoppable rise of SUVs. For the used car buyer, this has its pros and cons, because while it means second-hand values are very reasonable, there is also a smaller supply than would have previously been the case.

However, if you are prepared to commit the time to finding a Mondeo Estate that meets your requirements, you will be rewarded with one of the most impressively executed Fords of recent years, built at a time when the company was consistently nailing the balance of ride and handling. For the Mondeo, Ford even made a big deal about how it had stuck with hydraulic power steering rather than its more modern electrically assisted set-up, simply because it delivered more feel.

The Mondeo Estate is quiet to drive on the motorway, and while the engines aren’t quite as hushed as those you’ll find in an equivalent Volkswagen Passat, nor are they terribly far off. Another of the Mondeo Estate’s biggest assets - its size - is also one of its drawbacks. This is a car that feels like it has outgrown modern parking spaces, not helped by how difficult it is to judge where the corners of the car are. The pay-off is an enormous boot and seats that will easily accommodate four tall passengers. To further boost practicality, the rear seatbacks fold in a 60/40 split and the boot itself is well shaped, making it possible to load bulky items.

Petrol engines from launch included a 1.6, a 2.0 and fast but thirsty 2.3 and 2.5-litre units. It is the diesels that are most popular, though, whether in 1.8 or 2.0-litre form or the later 2.2-litre twin-turbo.

Various new engines were added to the range throughout the Mondeo’s life, with significant additions being a 2.0-litre turbo petrol unit with up to 237bhp to replace the old 2.5 (the same engine would later be used in the Focus ST) and, from the 2010 facelift, new turbocharged petrol and diesel engines of 1.6 litres. At the same time, Ford’s Powershift dual-clutch automatic gearbox was made available on the Mondeo.

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As little as £1000 is enough to buy a Mk4 Mondeo Estate, most likely a diesel and certainly with a mileage that’s comfortably into six figures.

In fact, virtually every Mondeo Estate you look at will be powered by diesel; they outnumber their petrol-engined counterparts by almost 20 to one. If you can find a petrol version, prices start at about £2500 for an early model, and due to the punitive tax costs of the 2.5-litre unit, it is actually no more expensive to buy than smaller engines.

For something with less than 80,000 miles on the clock, you’ll pay from about £3500 for a pre-2010 facelift car or £5000 for a post-facelift example. Models with the 2.2-litre diesel cost from £8500, while the Mondeo Estate market tops out at around £12,000 for a late, low-mileage model.

As alluded to in the section above, any Mondeo with a large petrol engine will cost you several hundred pounds per year to tax and won’t return a great deal more than 30mpg. As such, if you do want a petrol-powered Mondeo Estate, the 1.6 is a better bet, particularly in post-facelift Ecoboost form, when it will return about 35mpg in normal driving.

Diesels are inevitably more frugal - most will return more than 50mpg - but CO2 emissions were still too high throughout most of the car’s life for it to be particularly cheap in terms of road tax. For most models, you’re looking at between VED bands E to G, which means £135-£190 per year. The exception is the 1.6 diesel in Econetic guise, which scrapes into the £20-per-year tax band, although many will have covered high mileages as company cars.

Typical of Ford, you should be able to get your Mondeo serviced for a reasonable amount, particularly if you are prepared to take it to an independent garage. If you do use a main dealer, try shopping around, because prices can vary.

The other major cost to factor in with a Mondeo Estate compared with some of its rivals is the steep depreciation it suffers, although older, cheaper models are so cheap that this will be less of an issue for them.

Of the petrol-engined Ford Mondeos, the most sensible choice is the turbocharged 1.6 Ecoboost from 2010 onwards. The others are either underpowered or will cost a disproportionate amount to run compared with the value of the car.

Of the diesels, it’s the 2.0 TDCi that provides the best blend of power and parsimony, and there are plenty to choose from.

Zetec, meanwhile, is the trim of choice, with features such as alloy wheels, climate control and a heated windscreen being enough to impress. Titanium and Titanium X versions are better equipped and widely available, but remember how steeply the Mondeo Estate will continue to depreciate before paying too much for such luxuries, particularly if you’re looking at a later model.

Our favourite Ford Mondeo Estate: 2.0 TDCi 140 Zetec

The Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer has been the Mondeo Estate’s long-standing rival and is similarly good value for money. However, while running costs are lower, its boot isn’t quite as large and it is nowhere near as enjoyable to drive.

The Volkswagen Passat Estate might draw your eye too, thanks to its classy image and refined motorway manners, but again it trails the Mondeo for driver enjoyment and costs more to buy.

One car that does get close to the Mondeo Estate’s driving dynamics is the Mazda6 Tourer. You’ll need to look at a model from 2011 onwards and be prepared to increase your budget, but in doing so, you’ll get a great all-rounder that’ll also hold on to more of its value when the time comes to sell.

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