Used Ford Puma ST cars for sale

Used Ford Puma ST pros and cons

Is a used Ford Puma ST a good car?

The Ford Fiesta ST is widely considered to be one of the best affordable performance cars of modern times. With the regular Puma overtaking the Fiesta in sales charts, the Puma ST is a highly intriguing prospect.

Much like its hatchback sibling, the Puma ST adds a sporty body kit that enhances the small SUV’s appearance. It looks brilliant, particularly in the brilliantly named 'Mean Green'. It’s just as practical inside as the regular model too and you should see about 40mpg in mixed driving, meaning running costs are low.

Perhaps most importantly for an ST model, it’s a fantastic car to drive down a winding country lane, with handling better than you’d expect from an SUV. With 200hp from its 1.5-litre petrol engine, it’s quick too. However, its handling prowess comes partly from its stiff suspension, which makes it incredibly uncomfortable when pootling around town.

What to look for when buying a second hand Ford Puma ST

As a performance car, make sure you give the tyres and brakes a close look. The ST will likely have been driven more quickly than a regular car, meaning consumables can need replacing more often. Also check the tyres haven’t been swapped with a cheap brand as this will affect the car’s handling.

Browsing owner forums appears to show some electrical gremlins with the Puma, particularly relating to the Ford app. The car regularly goes into a ‘deep sleep’ mode that’s designed to preserve the battery after long periods of inactivity. Ask the owner if this is an issue they’ve encountered. The car can be ‘woken up’ simply by starting it manually, but it could be an annoying glitch to live with.

Other than that there are no recurring long-term issues, though the Puma does have a pretty average reliability record overall. Fortunately, Ford has a reputation for low cost repairs and labour, so bills shouldn’t be too dramatic if you do encounter an issue.