A good cheap first car or everyday runaround — with a couple of specific areas worth checking before you commit.
- Fuel Type
- Petrol
- Engine
- 1.25
Technician Overview
The 1.25 petrol Fiesta is one of the simpler Fiesta engines and can make a very good cheap first car or everyday runaround. There are still a couple of areas we would specifically inspect before buying one.
Brake Pipe Corrosion
Corroded brake pipes are common as these cars get older.
Don't just look at the visible sections underneath the vehicle. Check the complete pipe runs and pay particular attention to areas where dirt and moisture can sit.
Look through the MOT history as well. Previous advisories mentioning:
- Brake pipe corrosion
- Brake pipes covered in grease
- Brake pipe deterioration
deserve further inspection rather than being dismissed.
Difficult Gear Selection
If the gear change feels unusually stiff or difficult, the gearbox itself isn't necessarily the problem.
There is a nylon bush within the gear-selector cable arrangement at the gearbox which can swell and become tight on the selector. This can make the gear lever feel:
- Stiff
- Notchy
- Difficult to move between gears
The official repair can involve replacing the gear cables. However, we have also seen these successfully repaired by carefully opening the nylon bush slightly so that it can move freely on the gearbox selector again, rather than immediately replacing the complete cable assembly. The important part is diagnosing where the stiffness is coming from before condemning the gearbox or clutch.
Technician Verdict
A simple, generally reliable little petrol Fiesta. Check the brake pipes properly underneath and don't immediately assume a stiff gear change means it needs a gearbox — the selector cable bush can be the real cause.
Alfie has over 11 years of experience in the motor trade and founded Alfa Prestige to give buyers the insider knowledge that was previously only available to professionals.
