The dry summer meant that the Fiesta’s windscreen wipers were called into action only occasionally, but they are back in action now winter is kicking in.

This meant that a minor irritation has only recently made itself known on the Ford.

As our fully laden Titanium-specced car comes with rain-sensing wipers, they kicked into action during a recent bout of precipitation. It was more than a shower, but by no means a monsoon, so it was bizarre to see that the automatic setting was wiping at full speed.

An intermittent wipe was all that was required, but in the absence of this option, we had to stick with having the blades moving steadily but constantly.

Ford Fiesta 1.6i Titanium 5dr manual
Mileage 8459
Claimed combined
consumption
47.9mpg
Our average consumption 35.3mpg
P11D price £15,499
Model price range £11,536-£16,289
CO2 (tax) 139g/km (15%)
BIK 20/40% per month £39/£77
Service interval 12,500mls
Insurance group 6
Warranty 3yrs/60,000mls
Boot space (min/max) 295/975 litres
Engine size/power 1596cc/120PS
Top speed/0-62mph 120mph/9.9secs
Why we’re running it Can downsizing be done
without the downsides?
Positive Looks, lots of toys,
driving enjoyment
Negative Noisy on motorway,
high P11D