How to buy a 350bhp Ford Mustang for £16k

Performance is strong across the board. SR cars use a 261bhp rear-mounted motor for a 7.0sec 0-62mph time, while the AWD version shaves a second off that with its extra torque and power.

The ER gets a beefed-up rear motor for 286bhp, while the all-wheel-drive version's 346bhp gets from 0-62mph in just over 5sec.

There are no Boss 302s or Shelby GT500s with this 'Stang, but there are two performance editions. The GT is the spicy version with 480bhp, which means 0-62mph in under 4sec.

Naturally, efficiency is reduced and you'll be lucky to see more than 250 miles on a charge. The ride becomes bone-numbingly hard too.

The other performance model is the Rally, which has the same powertrain as the GT but gets a 20mm suspension lift to aid gravel travel and backside comfort, smaller WRC-style wheels and chunky tyres.

With the added wing, it makes the Mach-E look like a rally car for the road and it's genuinely capable and good fun on loose surfaces.

If you can't stretch to a Huracán Sterrato or 911 Dakar, it's a good rough-road alternative – with a much bigger boot and a back seat.

Thanks to a large Tesla-style 16in touchscreen on all Mach-Es, the cabin doesn't look dated. Being picky, we would like more physical buttons and some brighter, higher-quality feeling trim options.

That said, the vibe is generally good. Ford avoided putting 'Ford' badges inside and out so that neighbours and friends aren't blindfolded by their badge snobbery, and it could well be mistaken for something German.

It's stylish, practical, decent to drive and great value second-hand. No, it's not perfect, but when has a Mustang ever been that?

What to look for

Paintwork: There have been reports of poor-quality paint. Look out for flaking on the roof and spoiler especially.

Software: Some owners have complained about laggy screens that crash, change the settings and open doors without warning, even with the latest updates installed. Just ensure the car you're test driving is responsive.

Steering wheel buttons: They can become sticky, which can make them useless at best and result in unwanted setting changes at worst. It's potentially expensive to fix because a whole new wheel may have to be fitted.

12V battery: The small 12V battery can cause problems for Mach-E owners. It can fail unexpectedly, blacking out the systems while driving or leaving you locked out. Some owners suggest proactively replacing it after three years.

Rattles and leaks: Squeaks and rattles may be prevalent in a Mach-E. Also check for signs of a leaking sunroof.

Tyres: This is a big, heavy EV with a lot of performance on tap (especially in GT spec) so it's not surprising that some owners have reported excessive tyre wear. Check the tread depth on all four corners, and budget up to £800 for the best rubber – or use it as a bargaining chip when negotiating a purchase.

Also worth knowing

Beyond the battery and drivetrain options, there are no trim levels for the Mach-E. But there are a couple of options to be aware of.

One is BlueCruise, which is the only hands-free driving tech approved in the UK and can be activated on most motorways. However, you still have to pay attention, so its advantage over standard adaptive cruise control isn't that great. You can always take out a monthly subscription if you're desperate to try it, though.

The Tech Pack brings a hands-free tailgate, Bang & Olufsen sound system, panoramic roof and powered seats.

A heat pump became standard for the 2025 model year and improves range during the winter. However, it has made the froot considerably smaller – previously a big practicality trump card for the Mach-E.

An owner's view

Dakota Ward: "Coming from the perspective of an SR owner (240-mile real-world range), the decision to go for an ER for my wife has been a game-changer. That 60-70 extra miles ensures three hours before a stop. It's my wife's first EV and she is in love. My biggest frustrations are that the driver's seat doesn't tilt, the air-con controls aren't front and centre on the screen and there is no mechanical button for the rear hatch."

How much to spend

£16,000-£19,999: A mix of 2021 and 2022 cars with 50,000-80,000 miles, including some big-battery models.

£20,000-£26,999: A large selection of low-mileage big- and small-battery cars, some even on 24-plates.

£27,000-£40,000: Early, 50,000-mile-plus GTs come into play here, as well as nearly new and delivery-mileage Extended Range versions.

£40,000 and above: Although a new Mach-E officially starts at £42,000, you can get a pre-registered GT for that price. A few thousand more buys a Rally.