- Reliability Index score out of 100
- 76
- Average repair cost
- £1130
- Most regular repair request
- Turbocharger
- Average age at repair
- 7 years
- Average mileage at repair
- 60,100 miles
Ford EcoSport: How Reliable is This Compact SUV for Used Car Buyers?
Since its introduction, the Ford EcoSport has faced challenges in standing out in the competitive UK small SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) market. However, this creates an excellent opportunity for buyers who value affordability, as it offers an alternative to more mainstream models. While some critics have mentioned areas for improvement, such as practicality and design, the EcoSport still appeals to those seeking a compact SUV with a unique style. Plus, its side-hinged tailgate adds a distinctive touch, setting it apart from the crowd [1].
The EcoSport also comes with a commendable list of standard features, including Ford’s SYNC infotainment system, which is user-friendly and supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This enhances connectivity and convenience for drivers.
It is an attractive option for cost-conscious buyers, often seen as a budget-friendly option in the used car market, with prices for lightly used models being quite low. But there’s more to the purchase price of the car when it comes to affordability. What about reliability and repair costs?
In this post, we’ll break down the reliability metrics for the Ford EcoSport. Using data from our reliability index, we’ll look at everything from repair costs to regular issues and current market prices.
Ford EcoSport’s overall score: 77
The Ford EcoSport scores 77 on our Reliability Index, which places it slightly below average compared to other SUVs in its category. This score reflects a mix of reasonable reliability, balanced against some higher repair costs and the potential for issues as the vehicle ages. While not the highest in its class, it still provides a dependable option for those prioritising budget over premium features.
Most regular repair requests
For the Ford EcoSport, the most regular repair requests are associated with the turbocharger. A failing turbocharger can cause a noticeable decrease in engine power, slower acceleration, and difficulty maintaining high speeds [2][3]. If left unaddressed, turbo failure can cause severe engine damage. The longer you drive with a failed turbo, the more damage it can cause to your engine [4].
Beyond turbocharger problems listed in the Warrantywise Reliability Index, EcoSport owners have reported a range of other quality concerns, including noisy brake pads, jerky transmissions, and doors that won’t lock properly [5]. According to EcoSport owners in the WhatCar survey, the EcoSport’s engines are also described as noisier than they are in the Ford Fiesta, and are noted to be “especially wheezy when getting up to speed” [6]. Could this highlight further quality issues with the engine?
For EcoSport owners, this means being vigilant about your vehicle’s performance, particularly in terms of power output and acceleration. Any decrease in these areas could signal turbocharger problems. It’s crucial to address such issues early to prevent more extensive and costly engine damage.
Given these potential concerns and the range of reported issues, an extended used car warranty could be a wise investment for EcoSport owners. An extended warranty can provide financial protection against unexpected repairs, especially for components like the turbocharger, which can be expensive to fix or replace (subject to terms and conditions). You should read your warranty plan book carefully before you take out your warranty to make sure you know what you’re getting.
Most expensive repair: engine replacement
The most expensive repair recorded for the Ford EcoSport involves the engine, with costs reaching £7,242.85. Although such repairs are rare, they’re worth considering when evaluating older models or those with higher mileage. This serves as a reminder to check the service history thoroughly and ensure the vehicle has been well-maintained.
Having an extended warranty in place can also help provide peace of mind against expensive engine repair bills – subject to your plan terms and conditions.
Average repair costs: a tad on the high side
The average repair cost for the Ford EcoSport is £1,130.24, which is higher than more budget-friendly rivals like the Dacia Duster (£685.63) but lower than the Mitsubishi Outlander (£1,527.79). This places the EcoSport on the higher end of the spectrum for repair expenses, so it’s important to weigh these costs when considering it as a compact SUV option.
Age and mileage factors
Ford EcoSport drivers may want to take note of the age reliability data. On average, EcoSport owners report repair requests when their vehicles are just 6.9 years old with about 60,100 miles on the mileometer. This is notably earlier than other popular SUVs like the Hyundai Ix35 (9.3 years) and Kia Sportage (8 years). It’s also significantly below the average age of cars in the UK, which has been steadily increasing.
As of 2024, the average UK car is 9 years old [7], up from 8.8 years in 2022 and 8.4 years in 2021. This trend suggests that while cars are generally lasting longer on British roads, EcoSport owners might face repairs earlier than expected compared to both their SUV counterparts and the broader vehicle population. It could be worth considering an extended used car warranty for peace of mind against expensive repairs, especially if you are planning on keeping your EcoSport a little while longer.
Market pricing for used Ford EcoSport’s
As of 2024, most used EcoSport models are priced between £11,472 and £14,396, with an average price of around £13,000. When purchasing from a dealership, buyers can expect to pay between £11,050 and £14,400, with franchised dealers commanding slightly higher prices, averaging around £13,05 [8].
Private sellers typically offer the EcoSport for £10,100 to £12,750, with an average of £11,550. For those considering part-exchange, the expected value is around £8,860.
Final thoughts
The Ford EcoSport has faced challenges in the UK market, however, if you’re looking for a compact SUV that won’t break the bank but still offers reasonable reliability, the Ford EcoSport could be a good choice.
For added reassurance, especially if you are concerned about the higher average repair costs, an extended warranty might be a sensible investment. Start your used car warranty quote or buy online today and get motoring peace of mind.
Sources
[7] https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/362910/average-uk-car-now-9-years-old-drivers-delay-replacements
Disclaimer: Warrantywise Reliability Index Scoring and Data: Rank is measured by repair request frequency, average vehicle age at the time of fault, average mileage, and average labour time, from 1 August 2021 and 1 August 2024, and includes vehicles between three and ten years old where there are a minimum of 250 cars on cover. Average repair costs collated over a period between 1 August 2021 and 1 August 2024. Since the sample was selected, Warrantywise has seen a significant rise in the price of labour and parts, which will impact future repair costs. All data used is from Warrantywise’s proprietary internal research. Warrantywise believes the information contained herein to be accurate at the time of release. However, the company may upload new or updated information if required and assumes that it is not liable for the accuracy of any information interpreted and used by the reader.
Warranty FAQ’s.
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A car warranty, or an extended car warranty as you may also see it called, can help to pay for the cost of fixing your car if something goes wrong with it, like a mechanical or electrical problem.
New cars usually come with a warranty that lasts for 3 years. This means the manufacturer will fix any problems during that time. After this period any repairs or problems will need to be fixed by the vehicle owner.
For peace of mind, after your manufacturer’s warranty expires to help you seek to manage repair costs effectively, you can purchase an extended warranty.
Warranties do not include all defects. Most warranties will never pay for accidental damage or premature failure of a part.
You must read the plan terms and conditions of any warranty before you take it out.
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Our warranties are discretionary. This discretion allows for flexibility, as in each case we exercise our discretion to decide whether and how to resolve repair claims.
We have appointed an independent arbiter, Edd China, to ensure that any disputes with customers are resolved in a fair and un-biased manner. In the event of a dispute between us, Edd China has the final ‘discretion’.
This is what makes Warrantywise unique.
With access to our network of approved repair centres, you can rely on professional and reliable repairs.
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An extended car warranty from Warrantywise provides protection for your vehicle beyond the manufacturer’s warranty, shielding you from unexpected repair costs that can arise due to mechanical or electrical failures. With additional benefits including recovery, car hire and onward travel, to name but a few, our warranty gives you peace of mind, eliminating the stress and hassle associated with unforeseen repairs and expenses. With access to our network of approved repair centres, you can rely on professional and reliable repairs. By choosing Warrantywise, you can budget more effectively and avoid unexpected costs with cover you can be confident in.
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Our warranties are designed to provide the widest potential scope of repairs for the age and mileage of your vehicle. We automatically select the most appropriate level of plan for your vehicle, which you can then tailor to meet your specific needs during the online quote process or by speaking with one of our team of warranty experts on 0800 001 4990, who will help you through the process.
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At Warrantywise, we aim to make the repair process hassle-free for everyone. When If you choose one of our Authorised Repairers to carry out an approved repair, we will handle the settlement of the repair cost directly with them, eliminating the need for you to make any payments.
We always recommend using one of our Approved Repairers. Their repair facilities undergo careful monitoring to guarantee the best workmanship and service quality.
However, we understand that you may have a preferred garage in mind. If that’s the case, please ensure they are VAT registered and follow our provided ‘Repairs Procedure’ outlined in the plan booklet. It’s also crucial to verify that their labour rate aligns with your warranty schedule.
If you decide to use your preferred garage, you may be required to pay the bill in full. However, rest assured, once the repair work has been agreed by us, we will promptly reimburse you directly for the agreed expenses. Our aim is to provide convenience and financial peace of mind throughout the repair journey.
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As long as your car has an up to date service history you don’t necessarily need to service the car before we issue a warranty. However, if the vehicle doesn’t have evidence that the last service was performed at the correct time, you will need to arrange to have the car serviced to the manufacturer’s recommendations before your warranty cover is effective. Please refer to Section G – Servicing your vehicle for full details.
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It is the vehicle owner’s responsibility to maintain their vehicle. Following the manufacturer’s service schedule ensures that vehicles are properly maintained.
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It is important to thoroughly check the service history of a second-hand vehicle before purchasing. Where the previous owner has missed a service, we’ll still provide a warranty if the service history is brought up to date according to the manufacturer’s recommendations (including any recommended remedial work). This must be brought up to date immediately and proof of the service provided.
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No, you don’t have to have a car inspected before it can go on cover.
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Our warranties are available in lengths to suit your needs. From monthly warranties to 12, 24 or 36 month warranties.
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You can choose to pay for your warranty in full, over 4 month or PAYG (monthly pay as you go).
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All Warrantywise plans come with a no question 14 day money back guarantee. You can cancel the plan at any time within the first 14 days and providing you have not requested that we meet the cost of any repairs, we will cancel the plan and refund your payment without deduction.
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We always recommend using one of our Approved Repairers. These repair facilities undergo careful monitoring to guarantee the best workmanship and service quality. However, we understand that you may have a preferred garage in mind. If that’s the case, please ensure they are VAT registered and follow our provided ‘Repairs Procedure’ outlined in the plan booklet. It’s also crucial to verify that their labor rate aligns with your warranty schedule.
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Our repairs office hours are 8.30am-5.00pm Monday – Friday (except bank holidays). If you breakdown out of hours, please phone our 24/7 breakdown service on 0800 054 2174. For full details on what to do with regards to repairs out of hours, please refer to your plan book.
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It is important to stop driving the vehicle immediately, and call our repairs team on 01254 355102. The lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 12pm. In the case of an emergency breakdown out of hours, please call 0800 054 2174. If you continue to drive after you suspect a fault, it could affect your warranty. Rest assured, we are here to assist you throughout the process.
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The Oxford English Dictionary defines ‘Electrical’ as: (1) concerned with, operating by, or producing electricity. This means it has to be powered by, use, or produce electricity in order to function. NB: There are some items listed under our Additions that we will never pay for under the warranty.
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The Oxford English Dictionary defines ‘Mechanical’ as: (1) relating to or operated by a machine or machinery. (2) relating to physical forces or motion. This basically means it has to be a part that moves, is moved and/or is acted upon by something else that makes it do that motion. NB: There are some items listed under our Additions that we will never pay for under the warranty.
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If, during a journey, your Vehicle suffers a Breakdown within Great Britain you can telephone 0844 693 1910 (24h service) and we will arrange for an engineer to attend. If your Vehicle suffers a breakdown whilst in the European Union, you will need to make your own recovery arrangements and submit a claim under the warranty.
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If your repair is approved and you need a hire car, because your vehicle is off the road, we may reimburse you for up 10 days for car hire, please refer to the terms of your warranty for details.
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If you purchased your warranty directly, then yes. If you sell your car, you can transfer the remainder of your warranty to your new vehicle. Depending on the make, age and mileage of your new car additional charges may apply. Call our admin team on 0800 001 4990 for full details.
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We take complaints very seriously and all complaints are thoroughly investigated by our Customer Relations Team. Our commitment to customer satisfaction means that if you are dissatisfied with the initial response, we have an escalation process in place to address your concerns further. We value your feedback and strive to continuously improve our services, ensuring that your experience with Warrantywise is of the highest standard. For more information on the escalation process, please refer to our complaints page, and if we cannot resolve your complaint between us, you can refer it to Edd China for consideration in his role as Final Arbiter.
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All calls are answered directly from our UK offices by our knowledgeable and experienced customer advice teams. We take pride in providing exceptional customer service and ensuring that your enquiries and concerns are addressed promptly and efficiently. Our dedicated teams are here to assist you with any questions you may have, offering expert guidance and support.
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Edd China fulfils the role of independent arbiter, this means he has the final say over any dispute that we cannot resolve between us, subject of course to your statutory rights.
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Quentin Willson was instrumental in working with Warrantywise from 2007 to 2023 to develop our extended warranty plans to ensure they are clear, transparent and comprehensive. In July 2023, he passed over the responsibility of final arbiter to Edd China who will use his ‘discretion’ to ensure a fair and equitable resolution on a case-by-case basis.