Used Ford Cougar review and buying guide (1998 to 2000): which one to buy and what to check

Which used Ford Cougar should you buy?

A 2.0 manual is the Cougar to hunt for, and the reason is the V6 rather than any proven toughness in the 2.0. The 2,544cc V6 has an oil pump fault that can starve the top of the engine, while there's no comparable warning against the 2.0. That's a thin record rather than a clean bill of health, so the 2.0 still needs checking properly.

It was only on sale between 1998 and 2000, so there's no later, improved version to hold out for. The last V6 cars got a slightly smaller 2,495cc engine, shared with the Mondeo II and Jaguar X-Type. The oil pump warning names only the 2,544cc unit, and nothing says whether the smaller one's affected, so don't assume it's in the clear.

Rear headroom is hopeless, so think of it as a car for two with the odd back-seat passenger rather than a family runabout. Damaged panels and trim can be hard to replace on a Cougar, so hold out for one with straight bodywork and a complete interior rather than taking on a car that needs parts.

Which Cougar engines and gearboxes are the safe choices?

The 2.0 petrol with a manual is the lesser risk, but only because the serious engine warning on these cars names the 2,544cc V6. Its oil pump can whip the oil into froth, so the top of the engine runs short of lubrication, and some cars got through two engines under warranty because of it.

That doesn't make the 2.0 a proven engine; it just has nothing serious against it. The late 2,495cc V6 isn't named in the oil pump warning, but nothing clears it either, so check its oil and history the same way you'd check the bigger V6.

The V6 is short of pull low down and needs revving before it gives its best, with the red line not starting until 7,000rpm. That suits someone who enjoys working an engine more than a relaxed cruiser. The 4-speed automatic isn't a good one, so stick to a manual whichever engine you pick.

What should you check when viewing a used Cougar?

On a 2,544cc V6, look at the oil before anything else: pull the dipstick and take off the filler cap, and if the oil's frothy, that's the pump fault showing. Ask whether the engine's ever been replaced, and for the invoice if it has, so you know exactly what's under the bonnet.

Go over every panel and piece of trim, since replacements can be hard to find and a damaged bumper or broken interior part can mean a long hunt. The door mirrors snap off rather than folding back on a spring, so check both are intact and firmly fixed. These rattled a fair bit even when new, but a loud rattle still needs explaining.

On a V6, look at how much tread's left, as it's fairly hard on tyres, and check what's fitted: the correct 215/50 16 size was made specifically for the Cougar. The H7 headlight bulbs run hot because of how the lamp unit's designed, so make sure both dipped beams work.

Ask for proof the recall work was done. There are four to cover: the door latches and the brake light switch wiring on 1998 cars, the battery cable routing and its connection at the alternator on 1999 and 2000 cars, and the handbrake ratchet, which could lose a tooth, on 1999 and 2000 cars.

Paste the advert into the free check and it runs these against the listing, the MOT history and the DVLA record before you travel.

What do Cougar owners like about them?

It's a good-looking car that doesn't resemble anything else, and wind noise is low. It handles tidily and holds the road well, without much understeer when you push on. The V6 picks up lost speed quickly and has a sound that's easy to enjoy every time you rev it.

Inside, it's more practical than a coupe looks. The boot's a sensible size, the rear seats fold down, which is handy for golf clubs, and the round eyeball vents do their job well. The rear-view mirror sits in a good spot for motorway driving and heavy traffic, and there are levers on the back of the headlamps to switch the beam pattern for driving abroad.

• The Ford Cougar is a sharp-suited Mondeo coupe, available with either 2.0 litre or 2.5 litre engines.
• This model measures 4,699mm long by 1,769mm wide, with a kerb weight ranging from 1,291kg to 1,342kg.
• The car has an attractive and distinctive appearance, with low wind noise and good road holding without much understeer.
• It features effective 'eyeball' vents, a sensible boot, and fold-down rear seats suitable for golf clubs.
• The 2.5 V6 engine produces an exhaust note that is somewhat similar to an Alfa 156 2.5 V6.