The Ford Fiesta Was Britain's Best-Selling Car for Over a Decade, and the Used Market Still Hasn't Noticed It's Gone
Both reviews return to the same theme: this wasn't just a good supermini, it was the default car for millions of British drivers for the better part of 15 years — and even after Ford ended production in July 2023, the Fiesta remains the UK's best-selling used car year after year.
The Car Everyone Learned to Drive In
Few cars earn the kind of ubiquity the Fiesta achieved. Reviewers keep pointing to the same explanation: it wasn't one standout strength but a genuinely well-rounded package — sharp handling, a broad and sensible engine range, and prices that made sense for first-time buyers and families alike.
Specs at a Glance
| Body style | Supermini hatchback, three- or five-door |
|---|---|
| Generations covered | Mk7 (2008–2017), Mk8 (2017–2023) |
| Engines | 1.0 EcoBoost petrol (95–140bhp), 1.1/1.25 petrol, 1.5 TDCi diesel, 1.5 EcoBoost ST (197bhp) |
| Production ended | 7 July 2023, at Ford's Cologne plant |
| UK sales | Over 4.1 million total — the best-selling car in UK history |
Full Review Summary
Top Gear
Top Gear rated the Fiesta as the best supermini on sale for the driving experience specifically, praising the range's punchy, economical engines spanning the award-winning 1.0 EcoBoost through to the frugal TDCi diesel capable of up to 85.6mpg. They found genuinely sharp, enjoyable handling across the ordinary range, not just the sportier variants, and rated the Fiesta ST as a hall-of-fame hot hatch — one of the finest handling front-wheel-drive cars ever built, in their assessment.
Auto Express
Auto Express confirmed the Mk7's Powershift dual-clutch automatic gearbox, fitted to higher-spec trims, developed a genuine reputation for jerky changes, clutch judder and premature wear — worth avoiding if you want a used automatic Fiesta specifically. They rated the Mk7 ST200's 197bhp 1.6 EcoBoost as genuinely potent for the class, with an overboost function pushing to 212bhp for short bursts, and praised the range's broad trim spread for making a Fiesta findable at almost any budget.
Strengths
- Genuinely engaging, well-sorted handling across the whole range
- Broad, sensible engine choice from frugal diesels to the excellent EcoBoost petrols
- Huge used car availability and strong parts support given production volume
- The ST remains a genuine hot hatch benchmark
Weak points
- Powershift automatic gearbox has a real reputation for reliability issues
- No longer in production — every Fiesta on the road is now a used buy
- Cabin tech feels dated next to newer rivals, particularly on Mk7 cars
- Boot space trails some rivals like the VW Polo
Who It Actually Suits
Buyers wanting a genuinely enjoyable, affordable small car with huge parts and specialist support given how many were sold. Both reviews agree the manual gearbox is the one to seek out given the Powershift automatic's reputation, and the ST remains a genuine enthusiast's pick if outright driving fun is the priority.