Popular hot hatch, affordable to buy and insure. The 1.5 EcoBoost is a fun engine with strong performance, but watch for coolant intrusion on pre-April 2019 models - Ford redesigned the cylinder block to fix this critical flaw. Timing chain tensioner can rattle on cold starts after 60,000-100,000 km. Steering column clicking and turbo actuator sticking are common but fixable. Paint is notoriously thin. Manual gearbox is robust; avoid DSG if possible. Budget for carbon cleaning around 100,000 km. Much more reliable than the Mk7's troublesome 1.6 EcoBoost.
Expected Annual Maintenance Costs
€750 - €1,350/year
15,000 km/year
Fixed costs
€550-900
Risk buffer
€200-450
What Can Break
bars = likelihood
Coolant intrusion / cylinder head gasket (pre-April 2019)€1,500 - €7,000
Open-deck block design allows coolant to leak into cylinders 2 and 3 · more· less
The 1.5 EcoBoost built before April 2019 has a critical design flaw: the open-deck cooling design allows the mating surface between engine block and cylinder head to fail, causing coolant to leak into the combustion chamber. Symptoms include sudden coolant loss with no visible leak, limp mode, white smoke from exhaust, and wet spark plugs that smell like antifreeze. Ford issued a TSB and redesigned the short block (part DS7G-6011-JA) with cross-drilled design to fix this. Affected cars at 6,000-9,000 miles have had entire engines replaced under warranty. If buying a 2018-early 2019 car, verify this has been addressed. Post-April 2019 cars have the redesigned block from factory. Cost for short block replacement is €1,100 for parts plus 6-8 hours labor; catastrophic failure requiring full engine replacement can reach €7,000.
Tensioner release valve weakens, oil pressure bleeds off overnight · more· less
The EA211-based engine is improved over earlier versions but timing chain issues persist. The tensioner has a release valve that weakens over time, allowing oil pressure to bleed overnight. This results in a distinctive rattle for 1-30 seconds on cold start. Typically occurs between 60,000-100,000 km. If rattle lasts more than a few seconds, the chain, guides, tensioner, and sprockets all need replacing. VW has updated the tensioner part number. Ignoring this can lead to chain skip and catastrophic valve/piston contact. Replacement requires removing timing cover, sump, and various components - 6-7 hours labor at specialist. Total cost €1,000-2,200.
Known TSB issue, clicking noise when turning at low speed · more· less
This is a well-documented problem on 2018-2019 Mk8 Fiesta STs with a Technical Service Bulletin. Symptoms include clicking noise when the steering wheel is turned at low speed or when stationary, typically coming from the area where an ignition barrel would be. The issue is caused by sub-standard bushings in a sealed unit. Before committing to expensive repairs, check if the cowling assembly is fitted correctly - this simple fix takes 1 hour. If that's not it, the lower universal joint (UJ) of the steering column can be replaced DIY-able for €150-300. Full steering column replacement costs over €1,000-€1,600 at Ford dealers. Some dealers have replaced this under goodwill even out of warranty (65% contribution). Not a safety issue, just annoying.
Turbo wastegate actuator sticking€500 - €2,500
Carbon buildup from gentle driving causes EPC light and limp mode · more· less
The turbo actuator tends to stick if the car is driven too gently or only for short trips, as carbon builds up. Symptoms include EPC warning light and limp mode. Ford will not sell the actuator separately. Actuator-only repair at specialist costs around €500-600, but if turbo internals are damaged, full turbo replacement runs €1,200-2,500. Using premium fuel and regular spirited driving ("Italian tune-up") helps prevent this issue. Aftermarket Turbosmart wastegate actuator (€145-270) can replace the OEM part and is reportedly more reliable for tuned cars.
Rear shock absorber leaking / failure€400 - €800
Rear shocks leak oil, even on low-mileage cars · more· less
Mk8 Fiesta ST owners commonly report leaking ("misting") rear shocks. This is not unusual for Mk8s and can occur on cars with less than 10,000 miles. Some owners report their Mk8 failing its first MOT due to leaking rear shocks at just 20,000 miles. Genuine Ford shocks are described as "made out of cheese" by frustrated owners. Symptoms include bouncy ride, excessive suspension travel, and instability during lane changes. Bilstein B6 or Koni Yellow Sport shocks are recommended replacements, offering better quality and longevity. Cost for genuine Ford shocks plus labor is €400-600; uprated aftermarket shocks with fitting €600-800.
Engine oil consumption / turbo seal failure€600 - €2,000
Some 2022 Mk8.5 models burn excessive oil, 2.5L in 2,000 miles reported · more· less
Owners of 2022 Mk8.5 Fiesta STs have reported significant oil consumption - one owner found oil levels "almost empty" after just 5,000 miles at 6 months old. Another reported burning 2.5 liters in 2,000 miles. Ford dealers acknowledge the 1.5L ST engine "does burn some oil" but excessive consumption may indicate turbo seal failure. Check the intercooler for oil - oil draining out indicates a defective turbo seal. Bone dry intercooler suggests engine damage (piston rings). Monitor oil level weekly; keep it at least mid-way on the dipstick. Turbo seal replacement costs €600-1,000; full turbo replacement €1,200-2,000. Oil changes every 8,000 km recommended, especially with aggressive driving.
Carbon buildup on intake valves€450 - €1,000
Direct injection causes carbon deposits, walnut blasting needed around 100k km · more· less
The 1.5 EcoBoost uses direct injection, which causes carbon buildup on intake valves over time as there's no fuel spray to clean them. Testing on a 60,000-mile Fiesta ST showed carbon buildup was "bad" and comparable to VAG counterparts. Valves were "disgusting" at 36,000 miles on one car, causing misfires. Ford has implemented injection timing calibration to mitigate this but it's not eliminated. Prevention: use top-tier premium fuel, full-synthetic oil, warm engine to full operating temperature, and occasional hard driving. Walnut blasting service costs €450-1,000 and requires removing intake manifold. Expect this around 100,000 km or if you experience misfires and rough idle.
Battery drain / start-stop system failure€100 - €400
Battery drains flat in 7-8 days, start-stop shows "Engine on due to vehicle charging" · more· less
Common issue on 2019+ Mk8 STs where the Battery Monitoring System (BMS) doesn't recognize that the battery has been charged. Car displays "Engine on due to vehicle charging" and won't engage start-stop. Some cars go totally flat in 7-8 days without use. Measured standby drain is 165mA (normal is 50-80mA). Solution: BMS reset procedure (turn on ignition, flash high beam 5 times, press brake 3 times, wait for battery light flash). If that doesn't help, Ford TCU software update is required. Using a CTEK trickle charger solves the problem for cars driven infrequently or only for short journeys. New battery €100-180; labor for reset/update €50-150; trickle charger €80-120.
Rear engine torque mount failure€150 - €400
Common failure, especially on tuned cars, causes excessive engine movement · more· less
Rear engine torque mount failures are commonly reported by Mk8 ST owners. Symptoms include excessive engine movement visible in the bay, clunking when shifting gears or during acceleration/deceleration, and vibrations in the cabin. The stock mount is described as weak, especially for cars with Stage 1 remap or higher power. Ford has since upgraded the torque mount on newer vehicles. Short-term solution: fit the newer Ford version (€150-200 + labor). Long-term: Powerflex or Mountune uprated mount (€200-300 fitted). If ignored, can cause exhaust damage and stress on other mounts. Replacement takes about 1 hour labor.
Paint chips / thin paint quality€300 - €1,500
Paint is extremely soft and thin, chips down to metal easily · more· less
Ford's paint quality on the Mk8 is notoriously poor. The paint is described as "extremely soft and really isn't very thick" - rocks take it off right down to the metal. Owners report getting bad chips on the bonnet within the first 3,000 miles. Some 2022 models have had paint peeling in the front wheel arches on the front bumper due to paint being too thin from factory. This issue affects all colors but is especially noticeable on darker paints. Ford has been reluctant to cover this under warranty unless it's a clear manufacturing defect. Prevention: Paint Protection Film (PPF) on the front is highly recommended (€800-1,500 fitted). Touch-up paint for small chips €30-50; repainting bonnet €400-700; front bumper repaint €500-900.
Caliper slide pins develop pitting, causing binding and dragging · more· less
Common issue where caliper slide pins have no grease or develop pitting, causing the caliper to seize and bind even when the rubber boot is intact. Rear calipers are particularly prone to sticking and dragging. Some owners have had rotors replaced under warranty due to excessive wear at just 24,000 miles. Symptoms include brake drag, pulling to one side, and premature pad/rotor wear. DIY rebuild is straightforward - about 1 hour and €20 for piston and seal kit. Professional service with new slide pins, boots, and brake-specific lubricant €200-300. Full caliper replacement €350-600 for both sides. Inspect brakes every 15,000 miles and don't rely solely on tire shops.
Fun hot hatch with known issues - avoid early 2018-2019 cars
The Mk8 Fiesta ST is a significant improvement over the problematic Mk7 1.6 EcoBoost, but it still has its quirks. The most critical issue is coolant intrusion on pre-April 2019 cars - Ford redesigned the engine block to fix this. Post-April 2019 cars are much safer bets. Common issues like steering column clicking, timing chain rattle, and turbo actuator sticking are well-documented and manageable. Paint quality is poor across all model years. Overall reliability is decent if the car is properly maintained and the major recalls have been addressed.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Complete Ford dealer or specialist records essential. Verify oil changes at proper intervals (8,000 km or 6 months).
Tires
Check tread depth, age (date codes), uneven wear. Original size: 205/40 R18. Michelin PS4 recommended.
Cold start
Must start engine completely cold. Listen for timing chain rattle in first 30 seconds.
Body condition
Check for paint chips on bonnet, front bumper. Ford's paint is notoriously thin.
Test drive
Minimum 20 minutes including highway speeds. Test turbo response and gearbox shifting.
Specific for this vehicle
Verify production date - avoid pre-April 2019 cars if possible
Check VIN plate or door jamb sticker. Pre-April 2019 cars have the problematic open-deck block design prone to coolant intrusion. If buying an early car, verify engine replacement or short block replacement has been done with updated part DS7G-6011-JA.
Cold start timing chain rattle test
Start engine completely cold and listen carefully for rattle in first 30 seconds. Light rattle for 1-2 seconds is normal; anything longer than 5 seconds indicates tensioner wear requiring €1,000-2,200 repair.
Check for steering column clicking
Turn steering wheel left to right at standstill. Listen for clicking noise from column area. Very common issue, covered by TSB. Not safety-critical but annoying.
Inspect rear shock absorbers for oil leaks
Look at rear damper bodies for any signs of oil misting or leaking. Very common on Mk8s, even low-mileage cars. Test for bouncy ride and excessive suspension travel.
Check coolant level and condition
Low coolant with no visible leak is a major red flag for cylinder head gasket failure. Look for white smoke from exhaust or coolant smell in oil.
Test for EPC warning light / turbo actuator sticking
Drive the car and watch for EPC light with loss of power. Indicates turbo actuator issues. Test full-throttle acceleration to ensure turbo responds properly.
Check engine oil level and consumption
Check dipstick carefully - oil should be at least mid-way. Ask owner about oil consumption between services. Excessive consumption (more than 1L per 5,000 km) indicates turbo seal or piston ring issues.
Verify recall 19B30 completed (2019 models only)
Cars built 11/03/2019 to 24/09/2019 affected by undertorqued #2 main bearing cap recall. Requires full engine replacement. Check with Ford using VIN.
Test battery and start-stop system
Start car and drive for 10+ minutes. Verify start-stop engages (won't work in Sport/Track mode). If it shows "Engine on due to vehicle charging" constantly, BMS reset or battery replacement needed.
Check for excessive engine movement
With engine running and handbrake on, quickly blip throttle and watch engine in bay. Excessive rocking indicates worn rear torque mount.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Undertorqued #2 main bearing cap (11/03/2019 - 24/09/2019)Verify completed - requires engine replacement
Oil separator damage (2020-2022)Verify completed
Crankshaft position sensor wiring (20/04/2021 - 08/09/2021)Verify completed
TSB: Steering column clicking noiseKnown issue - revised parts available
Contact Ford with the VIN to verify all recalls have been completed. The undertorqued main bearing recall (19B30) is critical for 2019 models. Check UK government MOT service or use ETIS (Ford's system) to verify recall status.
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (3 years)Expired on most 2018-2020 cars
Ford Protect extended warranty€400-700/year depending on age/mileage
Goodwill repairsFord sometimes offers 65% contribution on known issues
Most 2018-2020 Fiesta STs are now outside their original factory warranty. Extended warranty (Ford Protect) is available but read the fine print - some issues like oil leaks may be excluded. For known issues like steering column clicking, Ford has offered goodwill contributions even out of warranty.
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.