Used Ford Mondeo Estate 2007-2015 review

What's the used Ford Mondeo like?

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.

Overview

The Ford Mondeo Estate is great to drive and cheap to buy, but which version should you go for?

Pros

• Brilliant handling
• Comfortable ride
• Lots of space

Cons

• Hard to park
• Lack of petrol options
• Humdrum image

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Ford Mondeo

2.0 TDCi Titanium Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£3,500

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2.0 TDCi Titanium Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£3,790

Ford Mondeo

2.0 TDCi Titanium Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£3,995

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2.0 TDCi ECOnetic Zetec Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£4,000

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1.5T EcoBoost Titanium Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£4,490

Ford MONDEO

2.0 TDCi Titanium Powershift Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£4,595

Ford Mondeo

1.5 TDCi ECOnetic Zetec Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£4,795

Ford Mondeo

1.5 TDCi ECOnetic Zetec Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£4,990

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2.0 EcoBlue Zetec Edition Euro 6 (s/s) 5dr

£4,990

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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.

Find a used Ford Mondeo Estate in the What Car? Classifieds here

Ownership cost

What used Ford Mondeo will I get for my budget?

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.

Our recommendations

Which used Ford Mondeo should I buy?

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

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Ford Mondeo?

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.

Find a used Ford Mondeo Estate in the What Car? Classifieds here

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