Is a used Ford Fiesta a good buy?

For years, the Ford Fiesta was Britain’s most popular new car, so you won’t be short of options when searching for a used example. Tens of millions have been sold since the UK launch of the original Fiesta and despite it no longer being produced, it's popularity remains as high as always.

Today, you can get three-door and five-door versions of the Ford Fiesta , along with a rugged Ford Fiesta Active model, a luxury Ford Fiesta Vignale and the sporty Ford Fiesta ST.

Here, we’re focusing on the sixth-generation (2008-2017) Ford Fiesta as well as the last model (on sale from 2017 to 2023). Even when faced with an array of rivals, such as the Vauxhall Corsa, the latest Renault Clio and the Peugeot 208, the Ford Fiesta still ticks nearly all of the boxes for many drivers.

Ford axed the frugal diesel engine in 2020 due to slow sales, but the 1.5 TDCi is a great choice if you cover lots of motorway miles, as it should use less fuel with this type of driving than the petrol alternatives. For everyone else, we’d recommend one of the petrol engines, especially the 1.0-litre EcoBoost versions, which offer a terrific blend of fuel economy and punchy performance.

Opt for the high-performance Ford Fiesta ST, available in ST-1, ST-2 and ST-3 trims and you’ll have one of the greatest hot hatchbacks of the modern era. In the sixth-generation car, power comes from a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, while the current ST features a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged unit, which makes a satisfyingly sporty thrum when worked hard.

Read our full Ford Fiesta review

Which used Ford Fiesta should you buy?

The Ford Fiesta is great to drive, comes with a large range of efficient engines, many different trim levels and plenty of equipment as standard. The latest model, introduced in 2017, is even more desirable, with a noticeable upshift in quality but with the same fun-to-drive characteristics. But don’t rule out an older Fiesta, because the previous generation model still represents excellent value for money.

What used Ford Fiesta trim levels are available?

With so many used examples on the market, you shouldn't have any problems finding the right Ford Fiesta you're after. Here are the different Ford Fiesta trim levels that you'll likely see for sale.

Ford Fiesta Style

Whether you’re buying a late sixth-generation or an early seventh-generation Ford Fiesta, the Ford Fiesta Style is the entry-level model. Today, the Style trim has been axed, with the Ford Fiesta Trend model taking on that role, albeit with more equipment as standard.

The specification is broadly similar, regardless of the generation. Highlights include 15-inch steel wheels with covers, manual air-conditioning, electric front windows, halogen headlights with LED daytime running lights and electric and heated door mirrors.

One reason for choosing the newer Fiesta could be the audio system. While the earlier car gets a radio/CD player with six speakers and a USB port, the later Fiesta features a Ford FM/AM radio with a 4.2-inch screen and Bluetooth connectivity. You also get automatic headlights, lane-keeping assist and emergency assistance in the event of a crash.

Ford Fiesta Trend

Highlights of the Ford Fiesta Trend include alloy wheels, front fog lights with cornering function, rear privacy glass, LED daytime running lights and the excellent Quickclear heated front windscreen, which is fantastic on a damp or frosty morning.

Inside, you get remote central locking, manual air-conditioning, lane-keeping assist, automatic headlights, tyre pressure monitoring system and Ford SYNC eight-inch touchscreen media system with digital radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, two USB ports and six speakers.

Ford Fiesta Zetec

The Zetec trim was essentially the Ford Fiesta Trend in all but name. Highlights of the seventh-generation Ford Fiesta Zetec include 15-inch alloy wheels, Quickclear heated windscreen, leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio controls and Ford SYNC 6.5-inch touchscreen media system with a digital radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The sixth-generation Ford Fiesta Zetec has all of the above with the exception of the audio system. Its Ford SYNC 4.2-inch TFT screen looks and feels a little dated by modern standards, so this could be a good reason to choose a later model.

Ford Fiesta Zetec S

Because it’s available only as a three-door and fitted with sports suspension, the Ford Fiesta Zetec S is ideal for young drivers who fancy a Ford Fiesta ST but can’t afford the insurance premium. There are two engines available: 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol and a 1.5-litre TDCi diesel.

It certainly looks the part, thanks to its large 17-inch alloy wheels, full bodykit, front fog lights with sports bezel, rear spoiler and LED signature rear lights. Inside, you get everything that’s standard on the Zetec, plus sports front seats and sports pedals. The Zetec S was one of the gems of the three-door Ford Fiesta range, so it’s a shame it was dropped for the latest model.

Ford Fiesta Titanium

The Titanium trim trades the sporty flavour of the Ford Fiesta Zetec/Zetec S for some extra equipment. Highlights of the sixth-generation model include 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights and wipers, electric folding door mirrors with puddle lights, rear privacy glass and LED signature rear lights.

Inside, the Titanium gets a Sony audio system with digital radio, CD player and eight speakers, cruise control, automatic climate control, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, driver seat lumbar support, an armrest in the centre console and front and rear floor mats.

The specification is even better on the current (2017-) model. The Sony system is upgraded to a Ford SYNC 3 touchscreen media system with sat-nav, and you also get automatic high beam, traffic sign recognition and driver alert.

Ford Fiesta Titanium X

If you’re looking at a sixth-generation Ford Ford Fiesta, the Titanium X is as plush as things get. Highlights include partial leather upholstery, heated seats, keyless entry and start, stainless steel tread plates, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and 16-inch 12-spoke alloy wheels. The seventh-generation Ford Fiesta launched with a three-door Titanium X. Highlights include a B&O Play audio system, reversing camera and heated partial leather seats.

Ford Fiesta ST Line

The Ford Fiesta ST-Line is designed for people who like the look of the Ford Fiesta ST but don’t require the performance or the more expensive insurance. To the casual observer, it looks like the ST hot hatchback, while the 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine and sports suspension combine to ensure it’s also great to drive.

The package also includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, ST-Line fog lights and wing badges, ST-Line upper grille, bumpers and side skirts, chrome exhaust, sports front seats, leather-trimmed flat-bottomed steering wheel, ST-Line aluminium tread plates and keyless start.

Ford Fiesta ST Line X

The Ford Fiesta ST-Line X adds more luxury to the ST-Line package. Features additional to the Ford Fiesta ST-Line include LED signature rear lights, automatic high beam and cruise control, automatic wipers, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, electric folding door mirrors with puddle lights, partial leather sports seats and automatic climate control. The Ford SYNC 3 eight-inch touchscreen media system with sat-nav is a welcome upgrade.

Ford Fiesta Active

Ford Fiesta Active models are slightly higher and look more rugged thanks to extra plastic exterior panels. In reality, the car is little different to drive, with no extra space inside. Entry-level Active 1 cars include all of the equipment that comes with standard Zetec Fiestas, as well as larger 17-inch alloy wheels, electric rear windows, silver roof rails and driving modes that slightly reduce your chances of getting stuck on slippery surfaces.

There's also an Active B&O model with a yellow colour theme, black painted roof and roof rails, B&O stereo, cruise control and rain-sensing wipers, in addition to Active 1 trim. Active X cars also build on the Active 1 trim, with sat-nav, keyless entry and start, part leather heated front seats, climate control, cruise control, rain sensing wipers and a rear-view camera with parking sensors.

These were later renamed to Active Edition and Active X Edition, with the X bringing along some extra features just like Titanium X and ST-Line X Edition.

Ford Fiesta Vignale

The Ford Fiesta Vignale is by far the most luxurious Ford Fiesta you'll find. The kind of upgrades you can expect to find on a used model include 17-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic glass roof, black leather heated seats and a unique wavy grille. The price when new was well over £23,000 but used models will be much more reasonably priced.

Ford Fiesta ST-2

Few people bought the entry-level Ford Fiesta ST-1, so you’ll struggle to find used models for sale. It came as no surprise when Ford axed the ST-1 from the range, as most drivers opted for the better equipped Ford Fiesta ST-2 and ST-3 versions.

All Ford Fiesta ST models get the same suspension and engine (a 1.6-litre or 1.5-litre petrol engine, depending on the generation), so it all comes down to the level of kit. Highlights of the sixth-generation ST-2 include 17-inch alloy wheels, half-leather Recaro seats, a full bodykit, Sony radio with 4.2-inch TFT display and manual air-conditioning.

Buying a seventh-generation ST-2 gets you even more for your money. The package includes selectable driving modes (Normal, Sport and Track), Recaro heated sports seats, Ford SYNC 3 with an eight-inch touchscreen media system and B&O audio system.

Ford Fiesta ST-3

Upgrading to the Ford Fiesta ST-3 cost around £1000 on the sixth-generation Fiesta ST when new, but added automatic climate control, automatic lights and wipers, keyless entry, electric folding door mirrors and sat-nav to the mix.

On the later Ford Fiesta ST-3, you get 18-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, Recaro leather sports seats, electric folding door mirrors with puddle lights, Ford SYNC 3 with sat-nav, automatic lights and wipers, traffic sign recognition, keyless entry and start, a reversing camera with rear parking sensors, heated front seats, heated steering wheel and rear privacy glass.