What was up with this car?
Discussion
Went to see MK2 Focus, 110,000 miles, FSH MOT for £1500 from a LTD trader, felt very dodgy so just interested in comments for future information when buying.
Upon checking the dipstick it was bone dry, dealer said this was because they recently changed the oil and 'It always goes empty when you change the oil/filter", red flags already but I knew if they did recently change it then it's probably just incompetence to not refll properly.
Second problem was that both rear wheels (drums?) were completely rusted and the car wouldn't move until he too a mallet to them. Car could have been sat for a while but not sure how long for them to rust close.
He didn't seem to want me to hold on to the V5 which had a name/address which had been tipex, again may be nothing and just me.
Needless to say from the very start I was very weary. But it's a shame as the car was otherwise very clean, warranted miles, FSH.
Upon checking the dipstick it was bone dry, dealer said this was because they recently changed the oil and 'It always goes empty when you change the oil/filter", red flags already but I knew if they did recently change it then it's probably just incompetence to not refll properly.
Second problem was that both rear wheels (drums?) were completely rusted and the car wouldn't move until he too a mallet to them. Car could have been sat for a while but not sure how long for them to rust close.
He didn't seem to want me to hold on to the V5 which had a name/address which had been tipex, again may be nothing and just me.
Needless to say from the very start I was very weary. But it's a shame as the car was otherwise very clean, warranted miles, FSH.
The claim about the oil is complete nonsense and anyone should walk away at that point.
Rear drum brakes sticking on is not uncommon if that car has been sitting, but I'd be a bit worried about the length of time it may have been sitting. That's a point to just take on board and decide based on your own discretion.
The V5 is a bit odd. If the car is with a trader then of course it will still have the previous owner's name on the V5, so why it would be tipex'd out is a bit strange.
Rear drum brakes sticking on is not uncommon if that car has been sitting, but I'd be a bit worried about the length of time it may have been sitting. That's a point to just take on board and decide based on your own discretion.
The V5 is a bit odd. If the car is with a trader then of course it will still have the previous owner's name on the V5, so why it would be tipex'd out is a bit strange.
Blanchimont said:
There are thousands of Focus' about for that money. Walk away.
If you have any reservations, they're generally justified.
The oil thing, is b
ks.
V5 sounds like it's still registered to previous owner.
drums; could be sat a while, could be seized on.
Cheers. I knew right away I was going to walk away but thought I may as well have a look around. I was curious about the oil and knew they hadn't changed it as the car was showing full service, with a recent one not too long back. Not quote sure where the oil was going but if the wheels were rusted the car had been sat for a while and no leaks or smoke.If you have any reservations, they're generally justified.
The oil thing, is b
ks.V5 sounds like it's still registered to previous owner.
drums; could be sat a while, could be seized on.
In regards to the V5 I'm reading this could be due to being a previous company car they don't want you to know about?
All in all, tidy car, dealer seems to have good reviews seems to be lower end of the market for the year.
All experience though.
mbwoy84 said:
The claim about the oil is complete nonsense and anyone should walk away at that point.
Rear drum brakes sticking on is not uncommon if that car has been sitting, but I'd be a bit worried about the length of time it may have been sitting. That's a point to just take on board and decide based on your own discretion.
The V5 is a bit odd. If the car is with a trader then of course it will still have the previous owner's name on the V5, so why it would be tipex'd out is a bit strange.
I was just entertaining him after that but made me laugh when he came out with the usual crap of "The only long roads are motorways, we can just go around the block" and the other classic "But the car drives fine, I drove it a long way to the garage". There's something therapeutic about seeing through someone's bullsRear drum brakes sticking on is not uncommon if that car has been sitting, but I'd be a bit worried about the length of time it may have been sitting. That's a point to just take on board and decide based on your own discretion.
The V5 is a bit odd. If the car is with a trader then of course it will still have the previous owner's name on the V5, so why it would be tipex'd out is a bit strange.
t.Again with people like this I can't tell if they're trying to hide issues or purely can't be arsed with such a cheap car.
Edited by beatngu on Wednesday 1st May 11:04
Patch1875 said:
Would be buying private @£1500.
He probably paid £500 tops for it.
Find one on Gumtree that little old Doris has been driving for 10 years.
More like £100 tops. He probably paid £500 tops for it.
Find one on Gumtree that little old Doris has been driving for 10 years.
Doris should be selling hers for under £1k. Probably also won't have oil in it but at least she doesn't talk b
ks!Prizam said:
Focus MK2 for 1500 quid?
You can have mine for 800. passed MOT yesterday.
Thank you, any details, is it already up for sale? You can have mine for 800. passed MOT yesterday.
Patch1875 said:
Would be buying private @£1500.
He probably paid £500 tops for it.
Find one on Gumtree that little old Doris has been driving for 10 years.
He probably paid £500 tops for it.
Find one on Gumtree that little old Doris has been driving for 10 years.
Turbojuice said:
More like £100 tops.
Doris should be selling hers for under £1k. Probably also won't have oil in it but at least she doesn't talk bks!
This is what I've been trying to work out. I thought I'd spent a few hundred more to get the updated Focus version. And this came up, very clean, history with MOT and tax. Thought it was worth a look.Doris should be selling hers for under £1k. Probably also won't have oil in it but at least she doesn't talk b
ks!I'd still love to know the reasons behind the oil but I'm guessing it was probably the reason the car was 'cheaper' than similar models of the same year. There was even a newer Focus for less than this one, ha.
But yes going to traders with this kind of money isn't ideal.
Here's the ad.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
beatngu said:
Prizam said:
Focus MK2 for 1500 quid?
You can have mine for 800. passed MOT yesterday.
Thank you, any details, is it already up for sale? You can have mine for 800. passed MOT yesterday.
MOT advised 1 tyre low on tread (It was on the front) and misting of oil on NSF shock (it's fine, car was stood for about 3 months before the MOT)
PM me and I will send you the link to the advert
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