Models · Ford
Ford Fiesta ST Mk6 buying guide
The first Fiesta ST, known as the ST150, went on sale in the UK in October 2004 and was built until 2008 with a 2.0 Duratec engine and a five-speed manual. Its known faults are well understood and most can be checked at a viewing.
The versions
- 2.0 Duratec four-cylinder petrol, 150PS
- IB5 five-speed manual, front-wheel drive
- Facelift from October 2005: larger headlamps, twin reversing lamps in revised rear lights and a soft-touch dashboard
- ST500 (2008): 500 UK cars in Panther Black with silver decals and red brake calipers
- Dealer-fitted Mountune upgrades from March 2008: MP165 and MP185
What to check on a Mk6 Fiesta ST
3 model-specific things to look at when you view one. They're a starting point, not the full inspection.
A floppy clutch pedal
What to look for: Sit in the driver's seat and press the clutch pedal several times. It should return firmly every time. A pedal that flops, feels disconnected or stays down is the thing to note. Ask whether the clutch pedal recall work has been done.
Why it matters: The linkage to the clutch master cylinder can detach, which is a common fault on this car. Ford's recall fix added a modified clip, and facelift cars also had a longer pedal. A car with the recall work recorded is the one to look for.
Oil level and knocking from the bottom of the engine
What to look for: Check the dipstick before starting and ask how much oil the car uses. On the drive, listen for a deep knock from low down in the engine. Watch the tailpipe for blue smoke at start-up and under load.
Why it matters: Using around a litre every 1,000 miles is not unusual for this engine, so cars that have been allowed to run low can suffer. A bottom-end knock points to worn crankshaft bearings from oil starvation, which means a rebuild. Blue smoke at start-up suggests valve stem seals; under load, piston rings.
Power steering groan and fluid colour
What to look for: With the engine warm, turn the steering from lock to lock and listen at the front for groaning. Note whether the steering feels heavy. Look at the power steering fluid in its reservoir: it should be red.
Why it matters: A groan, especially when hot, together with heavy steering, suggests the power steering pump is failing. Black fluid shows it has overheated in the past. On cars used on track, a relocated fluid tank or a cooler helps.
Also in the full guide
- Gearbox synchromesh and clutch slip
- The cold start, test drive and paperwork checks for the exact version you're viewing
The full guide to the Mk6 Fiesta ST
The CrankSight guide walks you round the car on your phone at the viewing, with every check for the exact version you're looking at: what to look for, where to find it, and what anything you find is likely to cost. As you go it builds an assessment of that car, and if you view more than one, it lines them up side by side.
£29 for the model, used on as many cars as you like, delivered within 72 hours or your money back.
Other generations
General points for the model, last checked October 2026. Every car is different, so treat this as a guide to what to look at, not a verdict on any car. CrankSight is independent and has no connection with Ford.