Common issues with 10+ year focus?

Common issues with 10+ year focus?

Author
Discussion

aussieal

Original Poster:

479 posts

161 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
quotequote all
Hi

I’m planning on picking up a Focus for sub £1k as a second car, mainly to leave at the station during the week and for local trips to the gym/supermarket etc.

From monitoring the trader over the last couple of weeks, seems I can get a 1.6 zetec 5 door with under 100k on it for around the £1k mark.

Is there anything in particular I should be looking out for mechanically?

Cheers

Al

Bob a

23 posts

137 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
quotequote all
Only cos I have just worked on a friends check the tick over. If irratic or low it could be the idle control valve. Not a big issue or cost, bit awkward to get to but there are plenty clips on YouTube how to rectify it.

vinnie01

863 posts

119 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
quotequote all
Ours is 15 and the age related troubles are just starting to hit home, Watch for rusty arches, Electrical faults on the lights. Coilpacks can be an issue on them it might need balljoints soon aswell

Dogwatch

6,229 posts

222 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
quotequote all
Just passed on a similar sounding one to my daughter after nine years ownership. Price sounds about right (dealer offered a grand p/x). Reliable if looked after. Rear suspension link bushes were only unexpected expense at eighty quid a side. The exhaust was still the original so possibly going to need attention in a year or two.

As always it depends on how its been driven and looked after but not a bad choice for a hack IMHO.

aussieal

Original Poster:

479 posts

161 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
quotequote all
Thanks guys, some good advice.

There are certainly enough of them about, and within a sensible distance, to be able to be picky about the one I go for.

Can’t see much to rival it in this price bracket for what I need it for.

Justin S

3,641 posts

261 months

Thursday 11th September 2014
quotequote all
Mostly rust starting in seams, such as bootlid, rear doors, if a 5 door. Also depending on the service history, cambelt is mileage or 10 years on a blacktop engine.

IanCress

4,409 posts

166 months

Friday 12th September 2014
quotequote all
Nothing out of the ordinary. Rust especially on the bootlid, bottom of the doors and where the mirrors meet the body work. Check suspension for knocks, and on the 1.6 engine check for blue smoke, they have been known to start burning oil at high mileages.

aussieal

Original Poster:

479 posts

161 months

Thursday 2nd October 2014
quotequote all
Off to see one tonight, 54 plate with 94k on it.

Looks fairly clean inside and out, current owner has just given it a service which included changing the timing belt. Not too bothered about it being maintained at home, it’s what I plan to do anyway.

It’s been surprising over the past couple of weeks how quickly the good ones go, hadn’t expected it to be quite so competitive!

aussieal

Original Poster:

479 posts

161 months

Friday 3rd October 2014
quotequote all
Well, it didn’t measure up well compared to the advert. Body work on the rear end and roof had a lot of scratches and chips, back to bare plastic and metal in places.

Seemed solid enough to drive, although the bite on the clutch was very high – practically at the top of the travel of the pedal.

Maybe more of an eye opener for me in terms of what you actually get for £1k, as it was the first one I’d been to look at.

jasesapphy

726 posts

209 months

Saturday 8th November 2014
quotequote all
I picked up a 52 plate up for £200 as MOT faliure

Car was just grubby needed elbow grease and a full service

Did everything at home, all filters, brake fluid change, coolant and fixed heater resistor and put on new battery

Total cost of service bits were £140

Took seats out and shampooed them

Total car cost £440, now immaculate, fully serviced with a 12 month ticket

Bargains to be had

Filters from euro on offer £2.50 air, £3.10 oil, oil on offer fully syn £14.50, battery wasp at expensive went for a high power 4 year jobbie halffrauds on trade card £41