# Ford Fiesta — Used Car Buying Guide

AutoScout's analysis of the Ford Fiesta on the UK used-car market. Backed by 33 million DVSA MOT tests, current AutoTrader pricing, and depreciation curves derived from CAP/Glass's Guide data.

Live interactive report: https://autoscout.fyi/cars/ford-fiesta

## Verdict

- **Best value year**: 2021
- **Ideal trim**: Titanium
- **Target mileage**: 30,000–50,000 miles
- **Max previous owners**: 2
- **Target price**: £10,625

## Why this model

The Ford Fiesta is a fantastic choice for a used car in the UK! It's been a best-seller for years, and for good reason. It's super fun to drive, handles brilliantly on UK roads, and is generally very economical to run. It's also practical enough for daily errands and comfortable for longer trips, making it a great all-rounder. Plus, parts are readily available and most mechanics know them inside out.

## What you should pay

Based on current UK market data (February 2026), a well-maintained 2021 Ford Fiesta 1.0T EcoBoost Titanium with 30,000-50,000 miles should realistically be bought for around £10,625. Prices can vary by £1,000-£1,500 depending on exact mileage, condition, and optional extras. While Ford discontinued the Fiesta in 2023, this has actually helped its used values hold up quite well as supply is now finite.

## Which trim to buy

The Titanium trim hits the sweet spot for value and features. It adds nice-to-haves like automatic headlights and wipers, cruise control, climate control, and better infotainment compared to the entry-level Zetec. You get a much more comfortable and convenient car without paying the premium for the sportier ST-Line, which often just adds styling tweaks rather than significant comfort or tech upgrades.

## What to check before you buy

- 1.0L EcoBoost 'wet belt' issues (check service history for belt changes)
- Infotainment (SYNC) system glitches or freezing
- Rear suspension bushes wear (can cause knocking noises)
- Water ingress in the boot or around the tailgate

## Running costs

Running a 1.0L EcoBoost petrol Fiesta is pretty affordable. Fuel costs will be around 17-18 pence per mile, assuming current petrol prices and real-world MPG. Road tax (VED) for a 2021 model is a flat £190 per year. Insurance is generally on the lower side for a supermini, making it a good option for those looking to keep costs down.

## Key stats

- **Fuel Type**: Petrol
- **Horsepower**: 99-123 bhp
- **Mpg**: 37-42 mpg (real-world)
- **Reliability Score**: Good
- **Safety Rating**: 5 Stars (2017 Euro NCAP)

## Trim comparison

| Trim | Price new | Price used | Key features |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Zetec | £17,000 | £9,000 | 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto; Air conditioning; DAB radio |
| Titanium | £19,000 | £10,625 | Automatic headlights and wipers; Climate control; Cruise control |
| ST-Line | £20,000 | £12,000 | Sport suspension; Unique ST-Line body styling kit; Sports seats |

## Depreciation forecast

| Year | Estimated value | Retention |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2026 | £10,625 | 100% |
| 2027 | £9,500 | 89.4% |
| 2028 | £8,500 | 80% |
| 2029 | £7,500 | 70.6% |
| 2030 | £6,500 | 61.2% |

Buying a 3-4 year old Fiesta like this 2021 model means you've let the first owner take the biggest hit on depreciation. Fiestas tend to hold their value reasonably well for a supermini, especially now that they're discontinued, making them a solid long-term purchase. You'll still see some value loss, but it's much slower than buying new.

Total value lost since new: 38.8%.

## Alternatives to consider

- [Volkswagen Polo](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/volkswagen-polo.md)
- [Vauxhall Corsa](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/vauxhall-corsa.md)
- [Renault Clio](https://autoscout.fyi/cars/renault-clio.md)

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Source: AutoScout (https://autoscout.fyi). Part of a review of the UK used-car market across 500+ models.