Ford

The short version

Ford is a mass-market manufacturer with an unusually deep performance streak. The same company that built the Model T also built the GT40, the Escort Cosworth and the Focus RS, and that history gives its fast cars a credibility that is hard to fake. Ford Performance models are generally affordable, widely supported and easy to modify, which is both their appeal and their risk.

The range splits into three groups. The Mustang is the V8 icon, the Focus RS and Fiesta ST are the hot hatches, and the GT is the limited-production supercar. Each has a different ownership profile, and each attracts a different kind of buyer.

The models that define the brand

The Mustang is the longest-running name. The S197 generation of 2005 revived the retro look, the Coyote 5.0-litre V8 arrived in 2011, and the S550 of 2015 finally brought independent rear suspension and right-hand drive for the UK. The S650 continues the formula with more technology and a stiffer body. The Mach 1 and Bullitt editions sit between the regular GT and the Shelby cars, and the GT500 was never officially sold in the UK.

The Focus RS is the rally-inspired hatch. The Mk1 of 2002 used a 2.0-litre turbo and front-wheel drive, the Mk2 added a five-cylinder engine and a more aggressive chassis, and the Mk3 of 2016 brought all-wheel drive and a drift mode. The Fiesta ST is the smaller, cheaper alternative, and the Mk8's 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine is one of the best small engines of its generation.

The GT is the halo car. The 2005 version used a supercharged 5.4-litre V8, the 2017 car moved to a twin-turbo 3.5-litre V6, and the MkII of 2020 added more power and a track-focused package. Production was tiny and UK allocations were smaller still.

What it costs to own

A Mustang is cheap for a V8 coupe. A routine service typically costs £300 to £700, tyres are £600 to £1,000 a set, and brakes are £500 to £900 depending on the model. Fuel, insurance and tyres are the main running costs, and a supercharger conversion adds risk as well as power. Insurance groups are high for the Mustang, and modified cars can be harder to cover.

The Focus RS and Fiesta ST are cheaper again. Servicing typically falls between £250 and £550, and consumables are reasonable. The Mk3 Focus RS can bite: a head gasket repair is a major engine-out job, and the all-wheel-drive system is expensive if it fails.

The GT is in a different league. Tyres, brakes, fluids and specialist servicing all carry supercar prices, and body parts are scarce. Any accident repair is likely to be slow and costly.

Known weak points

• Mustang Coyote: oil consumption reports, the so-called typewriter tick and occasional timing issues.
• Mustang MT-82: synchro wear, shift fork failures and notchiness, especially on abused cars.
• Mustang: differential whine, water leaks into the cabin and paint defects on some cars.
• Focus RS Mk3: head gasket failure, cylinder head cracking and rear drive unit problems.
• Focus RS: modified cars with poor maps, clutch wear and tired suspension.
• Fiesta ST Mk8: cooling on track, cylinder deactivation faults and gearbox noise.
• GT: rarity, parts availability, carbon brake wear and storage requirements.

What to check before buying

Start with the service history and a specialist inspection. On a Mustang, check the gearbox from cold, listen for differential noise and inspect the paint and panel gaps. Ask whether the car has been tuned, and if so, who did the work and whether the original parts are included.

On a Focus RS Mk3, confirm the head gasket recall work has been done and ask for a compression or leak-down test. Check the all-wheel-drive system engages properly and listen for noises from the rear unit. Modified cars need a careful look at the map, the intercooler and the mounts.

On a Fiesta ST, check the cooling system, the condition of the tyres and any signs of track use. On a GT, documentation and originality matter more than mileage.

Market and depreciation

The Mustang depreciates like a mainstream coupe, which makes a used one good value but exposes early owners to heavy losses. Special editions and Mach 1 models hold value better. The S550 GT is now the volume used buy, and early cars are approaching the bottom of their curve.

The Focus RS Mk1 has risen sharply, the Mk2 is stable and the Mk3 has softened after its head gasket reputation spread. The Fiesta ST has strong residuals because it is cheap to run and fun to drive. The GT has appreciated, and low-mileage examples rarely come to market.

Who it suits

Ford suits a buyer who wants performance per pound, a large community and easy parts support. It also suits someone who enjoys modifying and tracking a car without spending supercar money. It does not suit a buyer who wants exclusivity, except at GT level, or one who expects a quiet, trouble-free ownership experience.

How this profile was compiled

This profile uses Ford's published model information, service guidance, owner discussion from Mustang6G and current UK listings on Auto Trader. Treat it as a buying guide, not a road test.