THE latest Ford Mondeo is a brilliant car both to drive and to live with but the previous model built up to 2007 was also very good and bought with care, makes an excellent second-hand buy.
It was available as five door hatch, saloon or estate, and petrol engines range from a very good 123bhp 1.8 to a 220bhp 3.0-litre V6.
Diesels are either 2.0-litre or 2.2 with power outputs from 113 to 152bhp.
All are good to drive with easy controls, decent to excellent performance and a choice of five speed manual or four speed automatic gearboxes.
As with every other car, don’t buy without service history unless the price is very low and you can do some of your own maintenance.
Comfort is good over all surfaces and for long distances – look at the number used by business drivers – and roadholding is also right up there with the best.
Interior
Lower order cars have rather sombre black interiors and all have a pretty plain dash which nonetheless still has everything you need.
There’s good space for five, with plenty of rear legroom, and the big boot should be able to cater for their luggage if they travel reasonably light.
Equipment is good to excellent across the range.
FAST FACTS
Ford Mondeo
Price: Pay about £2,700 for an ’04 04-reg LX, £3,900 for an ‘05 05-reg Zetec, £7,000 for an ‘07 07-reg Ghia
Mechanical: 123bhp, 1,798cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 127mph
0-62mph: 10.6 seconds
Combined mpg: 37
Insurance group: 8
CO2 emissions: 182g/km
BIK rating: 22%
Marks: 10/10
Main rival: Vuaxhall Vectra, Citroen C5