Nearly new buying guide: Ford Fiesta ST
Fiesta ST is quick enough but is at its most fun in corners
Superseded hot supermini is top fun but not top dollar, just make sure it's been cared for
Enough tributes have been paid to the Ford Fiesta ST of 2012-17 for us not to add to them here, save to say that if you’re looking for a class-leading hot hatch that’s also great value for money, you’ve just found it.
Prices start at around £6000 for the first cars and go all the way to £14,000 for the last ST-3s with low mileage.
All are powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 180bhp and, thanks to an overboost function, 197bhp for a maximum of 15sec under full throttle. Lifting off briefly is sufficient to reset the timer and away you go again. This generation of Fiesta ST was the first to use torque vectoring, a system that brakes the front wheels individually to tame any incipient understeer. The ST also sits 15mm lower than standard models and has disc brakes all round. In short, it’s ready to play straight out of the box.
*Click here to buy your next used Fiesta ST from Autocar*
This applies even to the most basic spec, called ST-1. Basic but still with a few welcome features, including 17in alloy wheels, a bodykit, Recaro front seats, a digital radio, air-con and twin tailpipes. An additional touch was the standard-fit ST mats but they’re probably looking a bit tired now.
This version cost just £16,995 when new, but for another £1000, you could buy the ST-2 and most buyers did, attracted by its part-leather Recaros, rear privacy glass and starter button. Later on, the top-spec ST-3, costing £19,250, arrived bearing gifts such as a sat-nav, automatic headlights, climate control and power folding mirrors. Despite its price premium over the ST-2, it came a close second to it in terms of sales.
As we explain below, the ST-2 is our pick. However, it’s worth pointing out that with so many used STs for sale, prices are all over the place and you could well bag a better-equipped ST-3 for the same or even less money. For example, we found a dealer-sale 2015/15-reg ST-2 with 40,000 miles for £8995 and a same-age, dealer-sale ST-3 with 45,000 miles for the same price. As always, the devil’s in the detail, with the ST-2 finished in Performance Blue and with upgraded alloys, and the ST-3 in less eye-catching red and standard alloys. The lesson when buying is to look around, compare prices and pay attention to colours and extras.
Also, be particular about service history and tyres. Being so cheap, many Fiesta STs fell into the hands of those less able to afford to run them. Servicing, tyres and brakes were among the first casualties and that’s assuming the car wasn’t thrashed or crashed to destruction. Checking shut lines, crouching down and peering along the car’s sides for signs of body repairs and fresh paint, and scrutinising the underside for speed bump damage is vital. And as with all used car purchases, check the car’s finance and ownership status, too. But get a good one, and you’ll be laughing – especially on a B-road.
*BUYER BEWARE*
*Body* The thin paint is easily stonechipped. Check the door seals are securely fixed. Make sure all the panels are straight and that the gaps between them are regular. Check for overspray and filler.
*Interior* Check the digital radio works because Ford has been known to replace faulty ones.
*Engine* Be sure the recall concerning possible cracking of the cylinder head has been actioned. Knocking from around the engine may be a failed mount.
*Suspension and steering* Knocks from the steering or vague operation may indicate worn track rods, a known problem with the ST.
*Tyres* Fresh wheel alignment should sort any future, abnormal shoulder wear.
*Security* Once you've got it, protect it with a steering lock.
*Need to know*
The ST was launched as a three-door but a five-door version, costing £585 more when new, became available in 2016. A 31,000-mile 2017 ST-2 five-door is around £12,000 compared with about £11,000 for a three-door.
In 2018, a recall was issued for early STs. It concerned the possibility of the cylinder head cracking due to localised overheating. Rectification included fitment of a new coolant level sensor with an alarm providing an audible and visual warning.
Look out for STs fitted with the ST Style pack (£275 extra when new). It brings dark grey alloys, rear privacy glass (standard on ST-2), red brake calipers and illuminated ST sill plates.
Servicing is every year or 12,500 miles and shouldn’t break the bank. The cambelt requires changing at 125,000 miles.
*Top spec pick*
*ST200:* With 212bhp on overboost, a shortened final drive ratio for quicker acceleration and tweaked suspension and steering, the limited-edition ST200 is the enthusiast’s ST.
*Our pick *
*ST-2:* This mid-range spec has heated part-leather Recaros, LED running lights, an upgraded stereo and privacy glass. It’s the best value and plentiful, too, so you’re sure to find a good one.
*Wild card*
*Mountune:* Mountune’s power upgrade kit arrived in 2013. It cost £599 and increased performance by 33bhp to 213bhp. We spotted a tuned 67,000-mile 2014-reg ST-2 Mountune for £6700.
*Ones we found*
2013 ST-2 63,000 miles, £6200
2015 ST-2 40,000 miles, £8995
2016 ST-2 50,000 miles, £9495
2017 ST200 43,000 miles, £13,991
*Read more*
*Snowball express: Ford Fiesta ST vs. Cortina d'Ampezzo*
*Ford GT vs Ford Fiesta ST: in search of the blue bloodline*
*Britain's Best Driver's Car 2018: Fiesta ST takes on supercar greats*