Medium family carIntroduced: 1993, major facelift 2000
Bodystyles: Five-door hatchback, saloon, estate
Prices: from £500; upgraded 1996 models from £1500, V6 ST24 from £2500, facelifted 2000- models from £5500, Zetec-S from £7500
4car rating: 
The Mondeo is: consistently one of the best cars in its class, dynamically still one of the best mainstream models to drive, and all-round good value. Its biggest disadvantage is its Ford badge - it's not a prestige choice - but it's still smart and respectable, and comes in high-specification trims as well as standard repmobile spec. The estate is cavernous, and carries on the grand tradition of the much-loved Cortina and Granada estates as good old-fashioned, no-pretensions family transport. The quickest Mondeos are the ST200 and ST220, though they're not all-out Sierra Cosworth successors, and the new TDCi diesels are strong, economical and torquey, if not as quiet and refined as the adverts claim. The Mondeo is the modern Cortina - a nation's favourite - but a lot more fun and much more comfortable. Early (pre-1996) models are now almost banger money; the freshened-up, new-look models (from 2000) are getting more affordable second-hand, and the ones in between are very good value.
For: Refinement, comfort, handling and driving dynamics, good standard safety kit
Against: Mondeo Man/repmobile image, loads around, cabin quality not that great, high depreciation
Sum-up: An extremely good car with only minor niggles, let down by its uninspired looks and its blue-collar badge
Model rundown and historyAll pre-1996 Mondeos have power steering, driver airbags, central locking and an alarm and immobiliser; ABS and a passenger airbag were optional, even on base 1.6i/LX. GLX models have electric, body-coloured mirrors, front electric windows, a manual sunroof, electric seat adjustment and (from 1995) standard ABS. Ghia versions have air conditioning, ABS and rear electric windows, alloy wheels, front fog lamps, wood trim and plusher seats, heated windscreen and optional traction control and active damping control; Ghia X models have cruise control, a CD player and leather upholstery. Si models are sporty, with low-profile tyres and tuned suspension, shaped front seats and a rear spoiler, and both the Si and Ghia were offered with four-wheel drive. The facelifted range was launched in autumn 1996, with slight restyling, improved interiors, more rear legroom, improved gearboxes and revised engines; minor kit upgrades all round. Post-2000, entry-level LX versions have air conditioning, ABS, driver, passenger and side airbags, central locking and alarm, electric windows and mirrors and a CD player; ESP (electronic stability programme) is optional. Zetec and sportier-trimmed Zetec S models add alloy wheels. Ghia models have upgraded interior trim and Ghia X versions have leather seats, cruise control and an electric sunroof. ST220s have kit including electronic stability control, metallic paint, 18-inch alloy wheels, a full leather sports interior with Recaro front seats and a six-disc CD multi-changer, as well as a sports front grille, unique front and rear bumpers, a rear 'lip' spoiler and twin stainless steel exhaust pipes.
Mondeos to buy: Post-1996 Mondeos are worth paying a little more for, even if you're on a tight budget. If you do need a cheapie, the early 1.8i or 2.0i are the best bets, though if you can stomach the fuel costs, the 2.5i V6 24v models are cheap to buy, very quick and smooth, and a lot of car for the money. Go for at least GLX spec, whatever the engine, or one of the well-equipped special edition models; Si models are a nice package, and the ST-200s are sought-after. As for the later models, the TDDi or TDCi diesels are popular, as are the ST220s, but all the engines do their jobs well.
Mondeos to avoid: Early cars, unless they're really cheap; anything too tired or with ultra-high mileage, and patchy/missing history. The early 1.6 is slow and no more economical than the 1.8, and the early 1.8 TD diesel is pretty dismal. The 4x4 models are only recommended if you really need four-wheel drive, as they're complicated and expensive to maintain; they're best in Ghia estate form - don't bother with the others. Watch out for dodgy gearboxes and clutches on the super-torquey TDCi diesels. Try to pick a good metallic or strong colour paint if you want your car to hold some value - 'doom blue', purple and white ones are impossible to sell.
Buying the best Mondeo: Fleet cars like the Mondeo are best bought at car supermarkets, where there is usually a large choice and competitive prices. Ensure that the warranty being offered is comprehensive, though. With nearly new Mondeos, there will still be the balance of Ford's guarantee. For complete peace of mind, visit a Ford showroom for Mondeos less than 18 months old offered under the Ford Direct scheme, with a no-quibble exchange policy. However, these will be expensive. It is safe to shop on independent dealer forecourts and from the classified ads, if the car has a full service history. Many Mondeos have covered huge mileages and then been "clocked" (the mileage clock wound back to show a lower figure). Look carefully at the interior for signs of wear on the driver's seat, worn pedal rubbers and a shiny steering wheel, and the exterior for stone chips - a Mondeo in this condition is likely to have covered over 100,000 miles, whatever the clock says.
Engines and performance:Pre-2000:1.6i (90bhp): 111mph, 0-60 12.8 sec, 36.8mpg
1.8i (115bhp): 121mph, 0-60 10.5 sec, 36.8mpg
2.0i (pre-99, 136bhp): 129mph, 0-60 9.2 sec, 33.1mpg
2.0 Zetec (130bhp): 112bhp, 0-60 9.4 sec, 36.8mpg
2.5i V6 24v (170bhp): 133mph, 0-60 8.2 sec, 30.6mpg
ST200 (205bhp): 145mph, 0-60 7.9 sec, 28.8mpg
1.8 TD diesel (88bhp): 112mph, 0-60 12.6 sec, 46.3mpg
(2000-)1.8i 16v (125bhp): 127mph, 0-60 10.9 sec, 36.2mpg
2.0i 16v (145bhp): 132mph, 0-60 9.9 sec, 31mpg
2.5i V6 24v (170bhp): 140mph, 0-60 8.6 sec, 27.4mpg
ST220 2.9 V6 (226bhp): 151mph, 0-60 7.5 sec, 27.7mpg
Diesels:2.0i Duratorq TDdi (115bhp): 122mph, 0-60 10.6 sec, 47.9mpg
2.0i 16v TDCi (115bhp): 122mph, 0-60 10.8 sec, 44.8mpg
2.0i 16v TDCi (130bhp): 124mph, 0-60 9.9 sec, 45.6mpg
