The last and arguably best Fiesta ST, built on the Mk8 platform before Ford discontinued the Fiesta entirely in 2023. The 1.5 EcoBoost three-cylinder with 200 hp delivers genuine hot hatch performance in a compact, lightweight package. Widely praised for its chassis and driving dynamics, it also benefits from a timing chain rather than the problematic wet belt of the 1.0 EcoBoost. The main ownership concern is the cylinder block design on pre-August 2019 cars, which can allow coolant to enter the combustion chamber.· more· less
Outstanding chassis and handlingTiming chain, not wet belt
Pre-2019 coolant intrusion riskSteering column clicking common
Buy if: You want one of the best-driving small hot hatches ever made and can verify an August 2019 or later build date, or confirm no coolant issues on earlier cars.
Avoid if: You are looking at a pre-August 2019 build with unknown service history, or need a car that will not require careful pre-purchase inspection.
Price & maintenance
Used price
€16,400
median asking price, typically 70,000 km
Typical range€14,900 – €20,000
Kilometres drivenAll
Maintenance cost
€850 – €1,500/year
at 15,000 km/year
Fixed costsservice, tyres, brakes€550 – €900 /yr
Risk bufferunplanned repairs€300 – €600 /yr
Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Ownership costs
Maintenance assumes 15,000 km a year. Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Used price
€16,400
Typically €14,900 – €20,000, at around 70,000 km.
Kilometres driven
Maintenance
€850 – €1,500per year
€550 – €900
service, tyres, brakes
€300 – €600
repair buffer
Price & maintenance
Used price
€18,500
median asking price, typically 75,000 km
Typical range€16,000 – €21,000
Kilometres drivenAll
Maintenance cost
€850 – €1,500/year
at 15,000 km/year
Fixed costsservice, tyres, brakes€550 – €900 /yr
Risk bufferunplanned repairs€300 – €600 /yr
Price estimates are based on French asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Ownership costs
Maintenance assumes 15,000 km a year. Price estimates are based on French asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Coolant intrusion into cylinder (pre-August 2019 build)
up to €6,0001 of 7
Original saw-cut block design can allow coolant to enter combustion chamber, causing white smoke and potential engine damage · more· less
The 1.5 EcoBoost engines built before August 2019 used a saw-cut cylinder block design that is prone to developing coolant leaks between the cylinders. Coolant seeps past the head gasket into the combustion chamber, causing white exhaust smoke, misfires, and eventually catastrophic engine damage if ignored. Ford addressed this with a redesigned cross-drilled block from August 2019 onwards. Vehicles built after this date are not affected. For pre-2019 cars, symptoms typically appear between 50,000 and 120,000 km. Repair involves replacing the short block and head gasket, costing approximately €3,000-6,000 depending on labor and whether it is caught early. Always check the build date (not registration date) on the door sill sticker. Monitor coolant level carefully and watch for white exhaust smoke, especially when warm.
Steering column clicking/knocking
up to €1,8002 of 7
Worn bushings in the steering column cause a clicking sound when turning at low speed · more· less
This is the most frequently reported issue on the Mk8 Fiesta ST. The steering column develops a clicking or knocking sound when the wheel is turned, particularly at low speed or when stationary. It is caused by poor-quality bushings inside the sealed steering column unit. Ford issued a technical service bulletin and will replace the steering column with a revised part. Dealer quotes are typically around €1,600-1,800 for the replacement. For cars still within the warranty period, Ford covered this at no cost. Some owners have received partial goodwill contributions (up to 65%) for cars just outside warranty. On most cars the noise is a comfort and resale problem rather than a safety one. The narrow exception is recall 19S47: on Fiestas built between 15 May and 17 June 2019, Ford reported rattling together with intermittent or lost power steering assistance, so on a car from that window the noise must be treated as a recall matter and checked against the VIN.
Engine oil separator fire risk (recall 22S21)
up to €2003 of 7
Damaged oil separator can leak oil onto hot engine components, creating fire risk · more· less
Ford recalled Fiesta ST Mk8 models built between August 2019 and March 2022 under recall code 22S21. A damaged engine oil separator (cylinder head breather) can allow oil to leak onto or under the engine, creating a fire hazard. The fix involves inspecting the oil separator and replacing it if damaged, along with new seals. This should be free of charge at any Ford dealer. Always verify with Ford using the VIN that this recall has been completed. If the recall work has not been done, the cost of an independent replacement is approximately €150-200 for parts and labor.
Turbo wastegate rattle and sticking
up to €1,5004 of 7
Wastegate flap develops rattle at idle and may stick, causing poor boost response · more· less
The turbocharger wastegate flap can develop a rattle at idle, which becomes more pronounced over time. Carbon buildup on the wastegate valve and its components can cause it to stick, leading to sluggish turbo response or the occasional limp mode. This is more common on cars that are driven gently or only on short trips, as the turbo does not reach sufficient temperature to burn off deposits. Regular spirited driving helps prevent this. A specialist wastegate rattle repair costs approximately €500-600. If the turbo internals are damaged and a full turbo replacement is needed, expect €1,200-1,500. Typically occurs after 60,000 km.
Cam cover / timing cover oil leak
up to €8005 of 7
Oil seeps from the rocker cover gasket or timing cover, common on early cars · more· less
Oil leaks from the cam (rocker) cover gasket and timing cover area are commonly reported on the Mk8 Fiesta ST. The rocker cover gasket can degrade and allow oil to seep out, sometimes dripping onto the exhaust manifold and producing a burning smell. Rocker cover gasket replacement costs approximately €250-400 including parts and labor. The timing cover leak is a more involved repair, potentially requiring 6-8 hours of labor, bringing the total to €500-800. In some cases, the rocker cover itself warps and needs replacement rather than just the gasket. Check for oil stains around the top of the engine during inspection.
GPF clogging on short trips
up to €6006 of 7
Gasoline Particulate Filter blocks up when car is used mainly for short urban trips · more· less
The Fiesta ST Mk8 is fitted with a Gasoline Particulate Filter (GPF) that requires periodic regeneration through sustained driving at higher speeds. Cars used primarily for short urban trips may display an exhaust filter limit reached warning. Driving for 20-30 minutes on the motorway usually triggers a regeneration cycle. If the filter becomes too clogged, a dealer static regeneration may be required at a cost of approximately €200-300. In extreme cases, GPF replacement costs €400-600. Using the car regularly on longer drives prevents this entirely. This is mainly a usage pattern issue rather than a design defect.
Gearbox synchro wear (1st/2nd gear)
up to €2,5007 of 7
Hard or crunchy shifts into 1st and 2nd gear, especially on spirited driving · more· less
Some owners report difficulty selecting 2nd gear or a crunchy feel when shifting quickly. This can be caused by synchro wear in the manual gearbox, particularly on cars that are driven hard on track or regularly launched. The slave cylinder seals are also known to weaken, which can cause incomplete clutch disengagement and mimic synchro problems. A clutch hydraulics check should be done first, as this is a cheaper fix (€200-400). If synchro replacement is needed, expect €800-2,500 depending on the extent of the rebuild. This is relatively uncommon on standard cars but more frequent on modified or track-driven examples.
Generally reliable hot hatch, but build date matters
The Mk8 Fiesta ST is considered a reliable hot hatch overall, particularly cars built from August 2019 onwards with the improved cylinder block. The 1.5 EcoBoost engine uses a timing chain rather than the wet belt used in most 1.0 EcoBoost versions. Most issues are well-documented and either covered by recalls or addressed through revised parts. Steering column clicking is the most common complaint and is usually an annoyance rather than a safety concern, with the exception of cars built between 15 May and 17 June 2019, which fall under recall 19S47 for possible loss of power assistance. Always verify the build date and recall completion status before purchase.
Service history
Complete Ford dealer or independent specialist records. Verify oil changes at least annually.
Tires
Check tread depth and age of the 205/40 R18 tires. These are an expensive size to replace.
Cold start
Start the engine completely cold. Listen for unusual rattles or knocking in the first 30 seconds.
Test drive
Drive for at least 20 minutes including town and motorway. Get the engine fully warm to check for boost issues.
Specific for this vehicle
Check build date on door sill sticker
Cars built before August 2019 have the older saw-cut block prone to coolant intrusion. This is the single most important check.
Monitor coolant level
Check the expansion tank is at the correct level. Any drop in coolant without visible external leak suggests internal coolant intrusion. Watch for white exhaust smoke when warm.
Turn the steering wheel at low speed
Listen for clicking or knocking from the steering column. This is the most common Mk8 complaint. Expensive to fix out of warranty. On cars built between 15 May and 17 June 2019, check recall 19S47 against the VIN, because on those cars the noise can accompany loss of power assistance.
+ 4 more checksShow less
Check for oil leaks around cam cover and timing cover
Look at the top of the engine for oil seepage. Check underneath for drips. A burning oil smell from the engine bay suggests a leak onto the exhaust.
Verify oil separator recall (22S21) completed
Cars built August 2019 to March 2022. Contact Ford with VIN to confirm recall has been completed.
Test turbo boost response
Accelerate hard from 2,000 RPM in 3rd gear. Boost should come on smoothly. Any hesitation, rattling, or limp mode indicates wastegate or turbo issues.
Check modification history
The Fiesta ST is heavily modified in the aftermarket. Remaps, exhaust changes, and hard parts all increase stress on the engine and drivetrain. Ask about any modifications.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Engine oil separator damage, oil leak onto the engine with fire risk, recall 22S21 (Fiesta production 2 August 2019 - March 2022)Verify completed
Out-of-spec steering column, intermittent or lost power assistance, recall 19S47 (built 15 May - 17 June 2019)Verify completed
Front suspension lower ball joint torque (2 January - 23 May 2023 production)Verify completed
Fuel line chafing and leak risk, recall 25S10 (Fiesta production up to July 2023; the 2024 endpoint belongs to the wider multi-model campaign)Verify completed
Seatbelt reel mechanism defect, EU campaign 21S13 (5 February - 9 March 2021 production)Verify completed
The Mk8 Fiesta ST has several recalls, with the oil separator fire risk (22S21) being the most widespread. Most of the others cover narrow build windows rather than whole model years, so contact Ford with the VIN to establish which apply to a specific car and whether they have been completed. Cars built between 15 May and 17 June 2019 are the ones affected by the 19S47 steering column campaign.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (2 years in Germany, 3 years / 60,000 miles in the UK)Expired on most used examples
Rust perforation warranty (12 years)May still apply to 2018+ cars
Recall repairsFree regardless of warranty status
Ford's warranty term varies by market: in Germany it is 2 years with no mileage limit, while UK Fiestas were sold with 3 years or 60,000 miles, of which only the first year is unlimited mileage. All 2018-2021 Fiesta STs are now outside the factory warranty period. 2022-2023 models may still have remaining coverage. Recall-related repairs are always free regardless of warranty status. Some dealers have offered goodwill contributions for the steering column issue on cars just outside warranty.
Sources: Research draws on model-specific owner forums and owner communities, recall information from official authorities, German automotive press, and multiple workshop cost references cross-checked against each other.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.
