Things to look for when buying a focus?

[TheStig10]

I'm looking to but a ford focus in the next 2-3 months for around £2500 tops.

It's going to be 1.6-1.8litre engine, probaly with 3 doors rather than 5. The age I'm looking at is around 1999-2004, so the old style focus.

Just want to know what things I should be looking for and asking about when viewing one. Big or little things that could determine how good the car really is.

Thanks.

[Allyc85]

Signs of rust on the door seams, tailgate by the number plate and underneath the wing mirrors.
rear wheels bearings can be troublesome.
Anti roll bar drop links will cause a knocking noise.
Damp in the passenger footwell indicates a leaking pollen filter housing

Theres loads of decent Focai out there so take your time and find the right one and you will love it

[asn163]

I have had a 2002 51 plate TDCI Ghia for the last 8 years, just up to 110k miles.

Probs:

New engine wiring loom a couple of yeras ago, due to corrosion, £900 (main dealer)
New water pump and timing belt at 86K, £400 (main dealer)
New O/s front and rear springs for last MOT.

Check for water in boot, corrosion around rear arches and on tailgate as note above (particularly on Ghia models). Also creaking clutch pedal due to return spring mounting grommet failing, not a problem but just annoying and a pain to fix.

Other than that it has never failed to start or left me stranded.

HTH

Simon

[cfoxyc]

Ive got a focus 2.0 petrol with over 140 k on the clock (40 of which ive put on) and engine wise its never missed a beat, watch out for the above mentioned problems though, ive had to replace droplinks, front coils and wheels bearings, but in all, it cost less then £100 to fix ( i'm quite handy with toolkit!). I have to say the car puts its rivals to shame, two of my mates have got an astra and a megane the same age with half the milage and they've spent triple the amount on repairs over the years, its simply a great car! The only regret i have is choosing a 2.0 over the smaller 1.6, after trying one recently i noticed theres not a particually great loss in power and its at least 10mpg more economical and more refined being the later sigma engine. Hope this helps!