Going to look at a car tomorrow, anything to look out for?
Going to look at a car tomorrow, anything to look out for?
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Acheron

Original Poster:

643 posts

193 months

Friday 24th September 2010
quotequote all
2004 Mondeo ST220 in silver, 58,000 on the clock, fsh on time at the selling dealer, with an oil change just done by themselves. I'll change all the filters and plugs myself when i get it just for piece of mind.

Drove it the other day, no noises on turning, sounded fine, progressed through all the gears nicely. ac and electrics all seemed to be working and the car is in proper good condition, with the exception of the alloys (which is common - having a refurb this week) but it has 4 brand new tyres so cant complain.

Its from a ford stealer, cant see any dents or mis-matched panels/colours. I regret not checking the oil on the dipstick for an gunk but suppose this might not be visible if the oil has just been changed? Im told its HPi clear.

One tiny thing i noticed, i opened the boot, and looking from the inside, along the lip of the boot, there was paint bubbling along 3 inches or so on the right hand side. It was small with no sign of rush or paint breaking up, maybe this is just something normal?

Had a quick nosey underneath and in the engine bay, seems ok, no sign of overspray or anything like that.

Anything i need to keep an eye out for?

uncinquesei

918 posts

206 months

Friday 24th September 2010
quotequote all
2004/04 ST220 hatch books at £3895 trade, £5495 retail with 58k. (av is 63k) if that helps... (glasses guide)

Acheron

Original Poster:

643 posts

193 months

Friday 24th September 2010
quotequote all
Cheers for that, its listed at £5700 but im confident of squeezing the tax out of him, and he's given me a decent value for part ex. He made the mistake of saying they are desperate to get cars sold this month for the figures biggrin

Acheron

Original Poster:

643 posts

193 months

Friday 24th September 2010
quotequote all
Bumpy :P

W00DY

16,720 posts

255 months

Friday 24th September 2010
quotequote all
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Assume you've seen this thread? Sounds like the bubbling could well be a rust issue.

Acheron

Original Poster:

643 posts

193 months

Friday 24th September 2010
quotequote all
W00DY said:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Assume you've seen this thread? Sounds like the bubbling could well be a rust issue.
awesome, not seen it, cheers.

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

227 months

Saturday 25th September 2010
quotequote all
Hope it all works out well post up a you tube link with reving and or anything which you feel adds to a ph experiance

cmackay81

9,251 posts

195 months

Saturday 25th September 2010
quotequote all
rats, check for rats under the seats and in boot...



though honestly, check condition of seats and gear lever, there should be no wear whatsoever on them at that mileage, if there is, it's most likely been clocked.

Next, gently bounc each corner of the car when he isn't watching. it should bounce, but not too much. if one is different, suspension probs.

check oil before you turn the engine on for white/clouding/bubbles, then after a 10 minute drive, leave a few minutes to cool and check it again. HG failures are often masked by flushing the oil, this should catch that out. as theyhave just changed oil, should still have colour in. grey/orange or something, but no orange bits!

obviously check lines of car, esparound the door pillars. anything not straight is cut+shut.

haha, i could write this stuff all day, always means I have to look around a few cars before i find a niceone, but have never bought a blobber yet!