Going to look at a mondeo tommorow.. what to look for?

[FeatherZ]

Is there anything i should be looking for its an 02 model TDCI 115 with 110000 miles, full service history including a very recent service.

What goes wrong?

[sirrom666]

There is a common problem with rust in the doors and it's sometime hard to see from the outside. open all four door and check the seam that runs just on the inner edge of the doors. if it looks like it may be developing rust walk away as this can be costly to put right. if the rust has well and truely taken hold should be easy to spot as the seam will be opening up and will be flaking off. For anyone reading this and running to their mondeo to check, fear not. My old man had this problem last year on his 2003 (03) mondeo, his car has always been looked after however the problem had eaten into all four doors before he noticed (typical dad). He visited the ford dealership where he brought the car and after some pushing they did do the work under warrenty(bodywork on fords have 10 year cover) dont take any st as ford do know about this problem so push hard.

[camgear]

It's only 10 years on the Focus, is it not?

[sirrom666]

Im 90% sure the mondeo is also covered for 10years but will check next time i visit, really all cars should be. I think by now we should be able to buy a car and it last at least 10 years no problem without rotting away on your drive.

[monkeyra]

10yr warranty on the mondeo as well.

[andy-xr]

Are you sure its not a TDDI?

TDCi's have 4 weak spots

1) Dual mass flywheel
2) Injectors
3) Fuel pump
4) Rear subframe bushes (this is more all mk3 than TD's)

The first 3 are a grand each at the dealers, maybe a little less now. If you're paying more than £2.5k for an 02 115bhp model with that mileage you're being done over.

[mr_fibuli]

monkeyra said:

10yr warranty on the mondeo as well.

You seem to be making the mistake of assuming that Ford will honour this warranty . My local dealer was charging £30 for an annual paint inspection. You're unlikely to find a used Mondeo with all its paint inspection stamps in the service history, and without them they aint gonna be interested in fitting and painting 4 new doors on an 7 year old Mondeo.

I fixed mine with a dremel, some fresh panel sealant, and some spray cans - luckily it hadn't spread to the outside.

Edited by mr_fibuli on Sunday 1st February 00:26

[sirrom666]

mr_fibuli said:

monkeyra said:

10yr warranty on the mondeo as well.

You seem to be making the mistake of assuming that Ford will honour this warranty . My local dealer was charging £30 for an annual paint inspection. You're unlikely to find a used Mondeo with all its paint inspection stamps in the service history, and without them they aint gonna be interested in fitting and painting 4 new doors on an 7 year old Mondeo.

I fixed mine with a dremel, some fresh panel sealant, and some spray cans - luckily it hadn't spread to the outside.

Edited by mr_fibuli on Sunday 1st February 00:26

Thats probley true, hence if your looking to buy one walk away. Looking at dads history the paint inspection has never been done since it was 2 years old at its last ford dealer service, however I think if you've owned the car for number of years, got full service history and can prove that the car has been looked after and well maintained as my dad did you stand a much better chance.