What are they like to drive?
Expect precise pin-sharp responsive handling with a massively enhanced feeling of control behind the wheel with plenty of refinement, composure and childish agility for a family car. Powered by peppy petrol engines which give optimum performance without sacrificing serious fuel economy and frugal diesel engines which pushes fuel economy figures out of financial thought. They shout one constant feeling… fun!
What values do MK1’s currently obtain?
MK1 values have been slowly rising for a while, especially examples that are either very early ‘S’ or ‘T’ registrations, pre-facelift models until 2001, special limited editions, rare interior trim combinations and rare toys such as optional cruise control on Ghia 2.0 models!
However regardless of that, the most important reason why many examples are now on the rise is because of their superb mechanical and bodywork condition, lower mileage and are generally rust-free and have already been welded in the usual areas that corrode and received some quality paint. The flipside consequence is these models will rarely come on the market and are very much kept by their owners long-term. The models we frequently see on the market can stretch from really tired examples, low-end projects, cars in need of TLC or really good examples with niggles.
You can expect to see the current prices (as of January 2026) of these models in the following categories:
- Condition 1 – Concourse/Showroom, very original and contains no bodywork and mechanical defects.
- Condition 2 – Good and relatively tidy example in need of some mechanical and bodywork, would pass an MOT.
- Condition 3 – Project Car, no current MOT and in need of a rebuild in areas.
| Model | Condition 1 | Condition 2 | Condition 3 |
| CL | £1,000 | £650 | £400 |
| LX | £1,400 | £700 | £500 |
| Zetec | £1,800 | £950 | £600 |
| Ghia | £2,200 | £1,100 | £700 |
| ST170 | £3,100 | £1,800 | £1,000 |
| RS | £23,000+ | £16,000 | £10,000 |
(Please note this is a rough figure, there are many variables that would alter that value i.e. lower mileage than average, has rare factory options fitted)
What are they like to tax?
In the UK there’s no getting around it, like most cars from this period they are heavily taxed. Later post-March 2001 petrol models are expensive but the diesels (due to current government promoting diesels as environmentally friendly) are the cheapest MK1s you can tax. The reason being cars were banded by their tailpipe emissions instead of their engine size which pre-2001 models somewhat benefit from. The most expensive models are always the RS, 2.0 Petrol and automatic models!
Take a look at the current tax figures for the UK 2025/2026 below:
| Engine | CO Emissions Rating | Band | Before 1/03/2001 | After 1/03/2001 |
| Petrol Models | ||||
| 1.4 Zetec-SE Manual | 158 – 162 G/KM | G | £220.00 | £265.00 |
| 1.6 Zetec-SE Manual | 162 – 167 G/KM | G | £360.00 | £265.00 |
| 1.6 Zetec-SE Auto | 192 – 200 G/KM | J | £360.00 | £395.00 |
| 1.8 Zetec-E Manual | 181 – 188 G/KM | I | £360.00 | £345.00 |
| 2.0 Zetec-E Manual | 205 – 209 G/KM | K | £360.00 | £430.00 |
| 2.0 Zetec-E Auto | 222 G/KM | K | N/A | £430.00 |
| 2.0 Duratec-ST | 218 G/KM | K | N/A | £430.00 |
| 2.0 Duratec-RS | 237 G/KM | L | N/A | £430.00 |
| Diesel Models | ||||
| 1.8 TDDI (5 Door & Estate) | 145 – 150 G/KM | F | £360.00 | £215.00 |
| 1.8 TDDI (Saloon) | 139 G/KM | E | £360.00 | £195.00 |
| 1.8 TDCI (100/115PS) | 140 – 150 G/KM | F | N/A | £215.00 |
Which is the best place to find information?
The YouTube channel “Usually Fixing and Tinkering” dedicates the most MK1-related videos on social media to help spread information and knowledge about what to look for and how to work on them. This channel started the formation of this club!
Additionally the club’s two Facebook pages are a superb knowledge base built on by the many brilliant members of the MK1 community, posting everything from problems and their fixes to sharing restoration builds. Something for everyone.
In terms of literature every owner should have a Haynes workshop manual at arms length, there are two versions, one for both pre-facelift (blue book) and facelift (red book). Many tasks are explained well and you have accurate information on fastener torque settings, really overlooked when fixing cars.
Authors – Andrew Darby & Adam Wilson