1.3 MultiJet Sport 3dr Hatchback

Ok but could be so much better

We bought the car new from Glynn Hopkin in Chelmsford and were initially impressed with the good specification and fun looks along with the good economy and sprightly performance.

The car is used for a variety of journeys including at least once a week on the M11 for an 80 mile round trip and has averaged 56mpg with normal driving and has now covered almost 40,000 miles. Over time we have noticed that the road noise is quite intrusive at anything over 60mph and the ride quality is quite poor although I understand this may have been improved with Ford's input following the launch of the Ka.

Other minor complaints are the sound quality from the stereo and the all or nothing volume control. The fan speed controls are also poorly set with a whining fan motor and the air conditioning is not particularly ice cool. The bright red paintwork is easily chipped by stones as are the centre caps for the alloy wheels. During the most recent service the dealership washed the car and managed to jet wash the paint from one of the wheels centre caps. They would not admit responsibility for it but did post a new cap to us free of charge. Finally, the washer jets have failed 3 times due to a jet direction pin coming out of the jet body. I can only see that they are held in with hope and nothing more and each replacement has failed in the same way after less than a year. The last time we had the jets replaced we were informed that they were no longer in warranty and that if we would like them guaranteed for 12 months we would have to pay for their renewal despite the car being only 30 months old.

The worst part of all has been the awful service from our local dealers. The first years service we decided to use the supplying dealer but their quoted price of £250 for an oil change and a vehicle inspection was too much. We booked with another dealer based in Harlow who would do the work for £170. The week after the service was done the oil depletion warning light came on meaning a re-visit to Harlow and doubts as to whether the work was done. Following this the original dealer called to ask why we hadn't booked with them and proceeded to berrate us for choosing a dealer who didn't want to overcharge! I could go on and on with more about the dealers but this review is long enough.

Overall a pleasant enough car but we will not have another as too many niggling faults and poor poor dealer service.

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