Used Ford Mustang Mach-E (Mk1, 2020-date) buyer's guide: a sporty EV with decent range

Verdict

The use of the Mustang name upset some Ford enthusiasts, but those who embraced the EV age felt different about Ford’s first dedicated electric car, and it’s easy to see why. We were impressed by the Mustang Mach-E when it arrived and our enthusiasm remains undiminished. Scour owners’ forums and you’ll see plenty of positive feedback, but some have experienced lots of glitches, either because of software bugs or poor build quality. That’s why you need to scrutinise any potential purchase very carefully. But take on a good Mustang Mach-E and you’ll absolutely love it.

Ford had been dabbling with electric cars for decades, but it wasn’t until three years ago that the company introduced its first production car created from the outset purely as an EV. That car was the Mustang Mach-E.

The new arrival got a lot of enthusiasts hot under the collar because of its name, but it was hard to deny that Ford was on the pace straight out of the starting blocks, with a car that looked sporty, was good to drive, had an impressive real-world range and featured a well designed and user-friendly cabin. As with all EVs the Mustang Mach-E was on the pricey side, but thanks to the ravages of depreciation you can now buy one for a very tempting price.

History

We got our first glimpse of the Mustang Mach-E in November 2019, but it didn’t go on sale until autumn 2020. There was a choice of 75kWh Standard or 98kWh Extended Range models, each offered in rear-wheel- drive (RWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) forms, and by July 2021 there was also a 480bhp GT edition. By September 2022 Ford had introduced a raft of upgrades including a more advanced adaptive cruise control system, while the high-spec Premium edition also got eight-way electrically adjustable front seats, adaptive LED headlights and 19-inch wheels.

On the road

The 860Nm GT was the torquiest car Ford had ever sold in Europe, but even entry-level editions of the Mach-E have plenty of muscle. But it’s not just about outright pace; the three driving modes allow you to pick how your Mach-E drives, with the Whisper option providing a good all-round balance. Ford has disguised the 2.2-tonne bulk pretty well, but the fly in the ointment is the steering, which can feel a little detached.

Alternatives to the Ford Mustang Mach-E

There’s been an explosion in the number of electric SUVs in recent years. Two of the most readily available are the Tesla Model Y and Model 3, which aren’t as well made as the Ford, but they are efficient with their packaging and running gear. The Jaguar I-Pace is a great all-rounder while the Volkswagen ID.4 is good to drive and very practical. 

12

A Hyundai Ioniq 5 looks great, charges quickly and is also practical, just like the Kia EV6 (which beat the Mustang in a twin test last year). The Renault Scenic has an impressive range and lots of space, while the Toyota bZ4X is dynamically capable and spacious inside. A more left-field choice is the luxurious Genesis GV60 which is good to drive and comfy.

Which one should I buy?

Even the Standard Range AWD is claimed to be capable of 248 miles, whereas the Extended Range RWD boosts this to 379 miles. Buying an Extended Range model will reduce your range anxiety and it’ll also be much easier to sell on. 

The Extended Range also brings extra kit, so while the Standard Range features 18-inch alloys, LED headlights, heated front seats and steering wheel, a 10.2-inch touchscreen, front and rear parking sensors plus a rear camera, dual-zone climate control and a heated windscreen, the Extended Range adds a 360-degree camera, hands-free tailgate, Bang & Olufsen 10-speaker hi-fi, Active Park Assist and a panoramic glass roof.

What to look for

Electronic bugs

The Mach-E is packed with sensors and software, and some owners have had endless problems. Check that everything works. 

Towing weights

Until autumn 2022, AWD models with the extended-range battery were able to tow 1,000kg, but from this point the limit was increased to a more useful 1,500kg.

Camera faults

All Mach-Es feature at least one exterior camera; some have many cameras. These sometimes don’t work properly, because of software or hardware glitches.

Wind noise

Some owners have complained of excessive wind noise when travelling at 40mph. Some have had fresh seals, but dealers often say the noise is noticeable because the car is otherwise so quiet.

Interior

Ford could so easily have got the Mach-E’s cabin design wrong by trying to trade on the Mustang name, but it did a really good job of making it user-friendly and high-quality. 

12

While some parts are shared with much cheaper Fords, there’s generally a very high-quality ambience and it feels truly modern with its large displays; they feature graphics that are eye-catching and easy to navigate.

Cabin space is impressive too, with lots of room for those in the back, thanks to the fitment of a flat floor; there are also ample cubbyholes and plenty of boot space. As well as a 100-litre stowage bay in the nose, the boot can hold 402 litres, or 1,420 litres with the back seats folded.

Running costs

Until now, owners have enjoyed free road tax, but for cars registered from April 2025 the cost will be £190 plus another £410 until the car’s sixth birthday, because the original list price was more than £40,000 for all models. Offsetting this cost is the servicing, which is just £207 every two years; with no mileage limit. This cost includes fresh brake fluid each service, while the coolant needs to be replaced after 10 years or 200,000 miles then every five years or 100,000 miles, at £60. The transmission fluid also has to be renewed every 10 years or 150,000 miles, at £350. Insurance groups range between 33 and 48, so you can expect premiums to be relatively steep as a result.

Recalls

Ford has recalled the Mustang Mach-E seven times so far, the first in June 2021 because of faulty eCall software; 1,835 cars were affected. Recalls two and three came in December 2021 and January 2022, because of panoramic roofs and windscreens working loose. 

There was another recall in January 2022, caused by insecure rear seatbelt anchor points, while overheating powertrain control modules led to recall five, in June 2022. The two most recent recalls came in June 2023, one for faulty headlight control software and the other because 35 cars were made with incorrect VIN labels that could affect their ability to tow legally.

Driver Power owner satisfaction

There are usually a few Fords in our Driver Power New Car survey, but the Mustang Mach-E has never appeared, probably because it’s too niche. However, Ford rarely does well in our surveys; its best showing this year was 10th out of 75 for the Puma; below this sat the EcoSport (29th), Kuga Mk3 (37th), Fiesta Mk8 (46th) and Focus Mk4 (47th). Ford came 30th out of 32 in our 2024 Brands survey.

Did you know you can sell your car with Auto Express? Get the highest bid from our network of over 5,500 dealers and we'll do the rest. Click here to try Auto Express Sell My Car now...