Advice on looking at motor? Or possible HPI check please?

[Louisa911]

Tomorrow myself and the boyfriend are off to the local garage (well, ex-mechanic who buys cars from garages and auctions at Dumfries and sells them back here... i've had two cars from him, both have been pretty reliable, nothing particularly dodgy about it) to look at a 1.8 Focus Zetec.

Its a 3 door, W-reg, with some service history and MOT until feb. 63k. Up for £2150. Its a really attractive looking car for a boggo Focus- the paintwork looks a lot more special, really deep jet black metallic, either very well maintained or looks like it could have had a respray but a damn good one if it has, couldn't spot any flaws on the paintwork.
The only slightly suspicious points about it are that the front bumper seems ever so slightly out, not quite sitting completely flush to the grille above it- only by say a millimeter, but I figured that the bumper must have been removed to fit its aftermarket clear front indicator lenses instead of the usual amber ones? maybe it didnt get refitted perfectly. also the left hand side of the bonnet seems to lay just a little higher than the other side, maybe by a millimeter or so....

Also it has the Ford WRC spoiler, and dare I say, very lightly smoked rear lights (yes, smoked, but they don't look too bad and they aren't too dark to look completely boy racer.... I promise.) other than that, everything else is completely standard. the paintwork really is immaculate. its dirty at the moment but you can tell its been polised and waxed regularly.

What do you think? Avoid at all costs or worth a shot?

There's a pic of it here, excuse the quality, doesn't quite do it justice. Also note the reg. no, if any of you have free access to any HPI checks etc, I'd be most greatful... just to clear up the possible existance any cat D related issues and so on



Thanks so much

[Chris_w666]

At that age/price, if you have any doubts walk away there are plenty of others to choose from.

[MondeoMan1981]

Use the MOTinfo site to check up on the mileage on the MOTs over the last 5 years.

Not sure where you are but that price is a bit hot for me. £2000-£2200 seems to get you 1.6/1.8 Focii with under 80k miles right up to an 03 plate within 100 miles of Glasgow.

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/ni/cars_popup.jsp...

[amir_j]

Louisa911 said:

some service history

bumper slightly out

aftermarket clear front indicator lenses instead of the usual amber ones?

Also it has the Ford WRC spoiler, and dare I say, very lightly smoked rear lights (yes, smoked, but they don't look too bad and they aren't too dark to look completely boy racer.... I promise.) [

Ford + modified = images of young lad newly passed racing around abusing the car more than the norm. Personally would be a turn off for me, but if you trust your mechanic and have come back then go for it, if not then check clutch/gearbox feel ok, condition of oil, if shocks/pads/discs/tyre tread for excess wear.

I myself wouldn't know how to do any of the above checks though so would walk away

[Louisa911]

amir_j said:

Louisa911 said:

some service history

bumper slightly out

aftermarket clear front indicator lenses instead of the usual amber ones?

Also it has the Ford WRC spoiler, and dare I say, very lightly smoked rear lights (yes, smoked, but they don't look too bad and they aren't too dark to look completely boy racer.... I promise.) [

Ford + modified = images of young lad newly passed racing around abusing the car more than the norm. Personally would be a turn off for me, but if you trust your mechanic and have come back then go for it, if not then check clutch/gearbox feel ok, condition of oil, if shocks/pads/discs/tyre tread for excess wear.

I myself wouldn't know how to do any of the above checks though so would walk away

Hmmm true. Although the fact that the alloys are original ford ones, along with a standard exhaust and totally standard engine bay, it could be a hell of a lot worse regarding the mods. I know many people who are sensible drivers but have changed their lights just for the cosmetic appeal.

Also, I did a check on the number of owners via. the ebay motor section (you can put the car reg in when selling a vehicle, lists the registered owner number) and this one has only had two owners. three including the current ex-mechanic guy. I'm hoping that could be a good sign.

Will take it out for a drive tomorrow and check for any odd noises etc. Anyone know anything about checking for the condition of the parts listed above?

If you are a dealer or can check HPI for me, that would be great. Thanks again

[hornetrider]

Spend four quid on your own HPI you tight fecking arse

:|

[Liquid Knight]

Wrong bumper for the car (facelift spec with pre facelift headlights) and after market indicators, sitting as low as the alleged mileage. Thrashed, crashed, bodged and clocked. I wouldn't walk away I'd run.

[amir_j]

Louisa- out of curiosity, why are you moving onto your 3rd car at the age of 20 and being a student? bored easily im guessing?

[Chris_w666]

Liquid Knight said:

Wrong bumper for the car (facelift spec with pre facelift headlights) and after market indicators, sitting as low as the alleged mileage. Thrashed, crashed, bodged and clocked. I wouldn't walk away I'd run.

The side repeaters have been changed for smoked ones, and the front indicators have been replaced with clear units, apart from that the bumper is a standard Zetec one on the pre facelift MK1.

[Louisa911]

amir_j said:

Louisa- out of curiosity, why are you moving onto your 3rd car at the age of 20 and being a student? bored easily im guessing?

Its going to be a shared car between myself and my boyfriend, not purely my own. I'm running about in a cruddy Corsa at the moment whilst I'm at uni as I can't afford anything more at the moment. Saving for an Integra DC2 when I've finished the course

[hornetrider]

https://www.mycarcheck.com/check/W921JSF/

Four. fking. Pounds.

[Louisa911]

hornetrider said:

https://www.mycarcheck.com/check/W921JSF/

Four. fking. Pounds.

Jesus, chill out.

I wasn't aware they were that cheap. Last time I did a HPI check it set me back nearer the £15 region, and seeing as plenty of others have asked nicely and had it done for them, what actually is the problem?? Have I caused you any offence? You're sounding like it.

Edited by Louisa911 on Thursday 20th May 00:33

[Louisa911]

The only thing flagged up on the basic HPI check was:

"Plate Transfer This registration has been involved in a plate change, to view the transfer history please upgrade to our Gold Check."

Anything to worry about? Or is it just likely that someone had a private plate on it at some time?

Cheers

ETA: being a "fecking tight arse" I upgraded to gold check, its fine, just a private plate transfer. Cheers

Edited by Louisa911 on Thursday 20th May 00:46

[amir_j]

Louisa911 said:

The only thing flagged up on the basic HPI check was:

"Plate Transfer This registration has been involved in a plate change, to view the transfer history please upgrade to our Gold Check."

Anything to worry about? Or is it just likely that someone had a private plate on it at some time?

Cheers

ETA: being a "fecking tight arse" I upgraded to gold check, its fine, just a private plate transfer. Cheers

Edited by Louisa911 on Thursday 20th May 00:46

Was it a plate which belongs in here? http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Louisa911]

amir_j said:

Louisa911 said:

The only thing flagged up on the basic HPI check was:

"Plate Transfer This registration has been involved in a plate change, to view the transfer history please upgrade to our Gold Check."

Anything to worry about? Or is it just likely that someone had a private plate on it at some time?

Cheers

ETA: being a "fecking tight arse" I upgraded to gold check, its fine, just a private plate transfer. Cheers

Edited by Louisa911 on Thursday 20th May 00:46

Was it a plate which belongs in here? http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Nope I was actually pleasantly suprised... N4 N** (last two digits missed out for privacy)
Currently registered to a 2009 plate Golf Tdi, one keeper since new. Better than I expected to say the least!

[bdr529]

WRC Spoiler!?

You have a performance car in the making, SOLD!

[Louisa911]

bdr529 said:

WRC Spoiler!?

You have a performance car in the making, SOLD!

Make all the comments you like- I'm not AT ALL the type of person to make tacky cosmetic modifications, I've had three cars in the past and not one has been touched in a cosmetic way. I just believe this car could be a good buy with fantastic paintwork condition and low miles, with some history to back it up. I only asked for advice- not comments on how you interpret me from making this post. I HATE the boyracer mods made on cars.

A spoiler can be changed, and in this case, probably would be if we went ahead and bought it. There's no other evidence to suggest its been owned by someone with ste taste in car styling- alloys are standard, mechanically its 100% standard including exhaust and air filter... just because it has a spoiler on the back, doesn't necessarily mean its been added for the reasons you are suggesting. Some people think it looks nice, and that isn't a problem by me, it can be rectified for almost no hassle from me.

[amir_j]

Louisa911 said:

bdr529 said:

WRC Spoiler!?

You have a performance car in the making, SOLD!

Make all the comments you like- I'm not AT ALL the type of person to make tacky cosmetic modifications, I've had three cars in the past and not one has been touched in a cosmetic way. I just believe this car could be a good buy with fantastic paintwork condition and low miles, with some history to back it up. I only asked for advice- not comments on how you interpret me from making this post. I HATE the boyracer mods made on cars.

A spoiler can be changed, and in this case, probably would be if we went ahead and bought it. There's no other evidence to suggest its been owned by someone with ste taste in car styling- alloys are standard, mechanically its 100% standard including exhaust and air filter... just because it has a spoiler on the back, doesn't necessarily mean its been added for the reasons you are suggesting. Some people think it looks nice, and that isn't a problem by me, it can be rectified for almost no hassle from me.

I think bdr529 was attempting to make a joke. Have you been around long enough on PH to know what a female 'mental' is

[Louisa911]

amir_j said:

Louisa911 said:

bdr529 said:

WRC Spoiler!?

You have a performance car in the making, SOLD!

Make all the comments you like- I'm not AT ALL the type of person to make tacky cosmetic modifications, I've had three cars in the past and not one has been touched in a cosmetic way. I just believe this car could be a good buy with fantastic paintwork condition and low miles, with some history to back it up. I only asked for advice- not comments on how you interpret me from making this post. I HATE the boyracer mods made on cars.

A spoiler can be changed, and in this case, probably would be if we went ahead and bought it. There's no other evidence to suggest its been owned by someone with ste taste in car styling- alloys are standard, mechanically its 100% standard including exhaust and air filter... just because it has a spoiler on the back, doesn't necessarily mean its been added for the reasons you are suggesting. Some people think it looks nice, and that isn't a problem by me, it can be rectified for almost no hassle from me.

I think bdr529 was attempting to make a joke. Have you been around long enough on PH to know what a female 'mental' is

Haha yes, I have. Read these forums for two or three years now. I did slightly fly off the handle there I guess.... fear of being branded the type who likes barry cars took over :P

[bazking69]

If you aren't 100%, walk away.

Plenty more Foci in the sea and plenty of really good ones about amongst the rubbish.