Advice on purchasing a Ford Focus 1.6L for £1,500?

[ed6666]

Hi there,

I am looking to purchase a second-hand ford focus hatchback and have a budget of £1,500.

My main priority is reliability and low running costs (fuel, insurance, tax, maintenance costs).

The car will be used occasionally (between 5,000 and 7,500 miles a year).

I am not concerned about car performance, however, I would like something that can handle motorway driving, so have predominately been looking at the Ford Focus 1.6L (with less than 100k miles).

Cars I have found so far are:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

It would be great to gets some thoughts on the following with regards to this car:

- What distinguishes a sold second-hand focus 1.6L vs. a poor second-hand focus (what I should be looking out for)?
- Is there a buyer’s guide for this specific car and model?
- I found a few 2007 models, however, there are a lot more 2006 models on the market for my budget (is there a difference between these two years?)

Any other advice or guidance you might be able to provide would be most appreciated.

Many thanks,
Ed

[steve-5snwi]

Your at the crap end of the market, buy one that has the longest mot has the most tread on premium tyres and hope its still running in 12 months time. You will be buying trouble at that price point, just try to avoid buying the least amount of trouble possible.

[Shiv_P]

steve-5snwi said:

Your at the crap end of the market, buy one that has the longest mot has the most tread on premium tyres and hope its still running in 12 months time. You will be buying trouble at that price point, just try to avoid buying the least amount of trouble possible.

This is tosh, it's perfectly achievable to find a car that will last for years if you look carefully

Get yourself on MOT history
https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history

Look for a car that has been cared for by this, so few failures or if there are failures for simple stuff like incorrectly spaced number plates etc. Ring and ask about how often has been serviced, maybe look for the classic one lady owner no expense spared
If I was buying at this budget the 1.6 focus would be high on the list

[Bear-n]

I'd say to actually go for a really tidy Mk1 (1.6 petrol) instead. Never to be repeated all round brilliance.

[steve-5snwi]

Shiv_P said:

This is tosh, it's perfectly achievable to find a car that will last for years if you look carefully

Get yourself on MOT history
https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history

Look for a car that has been cared for by this, so few failures or if there are failures for simple stuff like incorrectly spaced number plates etc. Ring and ask about how often has been serviced, maybe look for the classic one lady owner no expense spared
If I was buying at this budget the 1.6 focus would be high on the list

Mot history check should be taken as a guide, i've seen a few cars that really should have failed the MOT but haven't even got advisories.

While you might find the odd nice car you are still at the price point where you have the potential for buying something that needs work.

I do agree that spending the money on a MK1 focus would be better, just watch out for corrosion and broken springs.

[Bubbs999]

How long are you expecting to keep the car for (it to last?)

I've had my current Rover 75 saloon nearly 3 years. (cost £700) - still going strong
Water pump failed taking out auxillary drive belt (£250 fix) and need a new OSF Coil Spring (fractures common problem on our potholed roads) and a few other bits for MOT - cost £150.

Expect to have spend money on reapirs, but perfectly feasible to get a car at this sort of money last 5 years if you take care of it (Bonus is, compared to a newer car, practically zero depreciation).

Dont spend the full budget - max £1200 for car and keep £300 for repairs / emergencies and breakdown cover. History and condition more important than mileage. Buy one that doesn't have the cambelt due (or budget for this and water pump)

I like the Mk1 Ford focus - MK2 ok.

At your budget, I'd look at a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla : much more durable motors

[funkyrobot]

Op. I have a friend who owns a 2007 focus. When doing his research he noticed that the hatchback variants can have issues with water ingress into the car via the rear lights. Be careful of that.

I'm currently looking for something around £1k too. To be honest, I prefer the look of the MK1 focus.

[Steve91]

I bought an £800 Focus diesel estate with a years MOT, all the toys, and only 85k.

There are bargains to be had.

[Toed64]

The Focus is a great cheapy and 1.6 petrol can go one and on. Do not be tempted to buy a 1560cc diesel though...

There are lots for your budget and quite a few low mileage cars too. The 1.6 petrol was a fairly budget car and there were quite a few leased through Motability and sold to mature drivers too.

Look at a few, check for rust, check the MOT history (avoid any that have advisories for rust) and buy one that has had any other advisories addressed before the next MOT. Look for regular services too.

Focai with MOTs start at £300, so you are well up the ladder! A local garage that I use regularly and trust 100%, just sold a 56 plate 1.8 diesel with well under 100,000 miles and fresh MOT, for £1300. The garage manager said, 'I know it was a bit expensive, but it's a really goone one and I just replaced all the brakes, tyres'. I thought it was a bargain and so does the new owner.

Here's an example that ought to meet your requirements:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Focus-1-6-Zetec-cl...

Be picky - good luck.

[InitialDave]

Bear-n said:

I'd say to actually go for a really tidy Mk1 (1.6 petrol) instead. Never to be repeated all round brilliance.

I agree, just find a good Mk1, there's loads out there, and as said above, be picky.

Wouldn't bother with the 1.6 myself, I'd just get a 2.0. I bought a slightly untidy but running and still MOT'd estate one for £60 last year. Sure, it'd have needed work and a bit of welding to get through another MOT, and it looked scruffy, but £60!

[colin_p]

Be careful with a MK1 or MK1.5, an otherwise brilliant car but they rust quite badly.

[b19rak]

My old neighbour has an old battered 1.6 Ghia. In the 5 years I’ve known him he has never serviced it or washed it. It still soldiers on. It’s used daily and now taking him all over the country for work.

[steveo3002]

agree if you can find a clean late mk1.5 then that would be a good car ...look very carefully for rust and any mentions on mot advisorys