Used Ford Mondeo cars for sale ...

The loading lip is a little high, but there are strips set into the floor to help you get stuff inside, and hooks to strap it down. Thanks to the alert steering and well-controlled body movements, the handling is fluid, and the ride quality is supple, provided you avoid cars with the optional 17-inch wheels and low-profile tyres. Motorway journeys are quiet and painless, although the 1.8s can be noisy. Inside, Ford has taken a VW Passat approach to fixtures, fittings and the layout of controls. A good driving position, excellent rear room (more headroom than the hatch or saloon versions), solid build quality and ample safety equipment complete its appeal.

Running Costs
The biggest worry is depreciation. If you buy nearly new, make sure the car is cheap enough to offset the heavy loss in value it will suffer. By its third and fourth years, however, the effects of depreciation tail off to far more modest levels. So that’s where the smart money goes. The V6s are hard to track down, and not worth the effort - they hit your wallet hard each time you fill up (27mpg) and renew your insurance (2.5s are group 15, 3.0s are 16). The 2.2 TDCi turbodiesels get walloped for group 16, too, but return a more palatable 45mpg. The 2.0 TDCi cars are the most economical (45.6-48.7mpg and group 9-10), but the 1.8 (group 8) and 2.0 (groups 9-11) petrols should give about 35mpg. Typical service costs are on a par with those of the Vauxhall Vectra Estate, and an independent outlet should save you about 35% on labour compared to franchised dealer rates.

Hatchback
For all its space, practicality and versatility, it’s the way the Mondeo drives that sets it apart from rivals. It hides its size well through an almost perfect blend of supple, well-controlled ride and crisp handling, topped by great feel through the controls. Wind noise at speed is the only disappointment. In terms of everyday usability, it’s up with the very best. With reach and rake adjustment on the steering wheel, as well as height adjustment on the driver’s seat, the driving position is spot-on for people of all shapes and sizes. Thanks to the wide cabin, and generous head- and legroom in the back, you can get five adults inside. On all models, a split-fold rear seat and spacious boot give it top marks for practicality. Equipment levels are generous, even on the most basic models, and build quality is also excellent.

Running Costs
Compared with many family cars, the relative undesirability of the name and its wide availability mean the Mondeo is a cheap used buy. And, once it’s taken that first major hit of depreciation early in life, the subsequent drops in value are much easier to stomach. You should see well over 30mpg from four-cylinder petrol cars and close to 50mpg from the TDCi diesels. Both compare well to the competition, while insurance groups are also generally on a par, except on the most powerful models, the V6 petrols and 2.2-litre diesels. The good reliability means you shouldn’t need to have the car fixed too often, but labour rates at dealers are acceptable anyway, so even basic servicing and maintenance won’t mean you have to delve too deeply into your pocket. However, things are better if you take the car to an independent, where you’ll find average costs among the lowest for any make.

Saloon
For all its space, practicality and versatility it’s the way the Mondeo drives that sets it apart from rivals. It hides its size well through an almost perfect blend of supple, well-controlled ride and crisp handling, topped off by great feel through the controls. Wind noise at speed is the only disappointment. In terms of everyday usability, it’s up with the very best. With reach and rake adjustment on the steering wheel, as well as height adjustment on the driver’s seat, the driving position is spot-on for people of all shapes and sizes. And, thanks to the wide cabin and generous head- and legroom in the back, you can get five adults inside in comfort. On all models, a split-fold rear seat and spacious boot give it top marks for practicality. However, for outright versatility, you'll be better off with a hatchback than this saloon. Equipment levels are generous, even on the most basic models, and build quality is also excellent.

Running Costs
Compared with many family cars, the relative undesirability of the name and its wide availability mean the Mondeo is a cheap used buy. Once it’s taken that first major hit of depreciation, the subsequent drops in value are much easier to stomach. You should see well over 30mpg from four-cylinder petrol cars and close to 50mpg from the TDCi diesels. Both compare well to the competition, while insurance groups are also generally on a par, except on the most powerful models, the V6 petrols and 2.2-litre diesels. The good reliability means you shouldn’t need to have the car fixed too often, but labour rates at dealers are acceptable anyway, so even basic servicing and maintenance won’t mean you have to delve too deeply into your pocket. However, things are better if you take the car to an independent, where you’ll find average costs among the lowest for any make.