Viewing used car tonight, what to look for etc

Deleted User 234324 · 27 Oct 2008 at 12:17

Gonna be viewing a used car tonight, 2005 05 plate Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI Zetec (Climate Pack), ive checked the history for the vehicle and its had no recordings of accidents, HPI is clear etc, it has had 2 previous owners and currently has 66,000 on the clock.

The car is advertised at £4995 but has recently (last year) had the entire engine replaced at a cost of £3k due to water in the engine. The vehicle does have a full service history.

Is that a good deal or do you reckon i can haggle it down a bit more due to its history (engine replacement, several previous owners and above average mileage for its age) ?

Fr0dders · 27 Oct 2008 at 12:20

walk away

Seriously, the focus is one of the most common cars on the market. If its had water damage, you dont know what they've not repaired so as not to make it an insurance write off

It could be 100 % perfect, but i wouldnt be taking the chance with such a common car.

Deleted User 234324 · 27 Oct 2008 at 12:30

MrLOL said:
walk away

Seriously, the focus is one of the most common cars on the market. If its had water damage, you dont know what they've not repaired so as not to make it an insurance write off

It could be 100 % perfect, but i wouldnt be taking the chance with such a common car.

Thats the thing, ive checked the vehicle and also have the option of getting it inspected at nationwide autocentre in plymouth. Its the first local 1.6 diesel mk2 focus ive seen within my budget most are either 150+ miles away or over budget by 500-1500 quid.

Gaygle · 27 Oct 2008 at 12:37

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...el=FOCUS&min_pr=3000&max_pr=8000&max_mileage=

What about this one? It's Ghia (and iirc that is the trim level above Zetec), yet it is only £500 more, has nearly the same mileage, has no flood damage, has only 1 previous owner, it is from a garage so you have more comeback if something goes wrong and as an added bonus you also have a warranty!

Sounds like a much better deal than the one you've looked at?

Deleted User 234324 · 27 Oct 2008 at 12:39

Over budget by £1500.

Gaygle · 27 Oct 2008 at 12:40

MadMossy said:
Over budget by £1500.

**** sorry. It's too early!

k3v · 27 Oct 2008 at 12:44

dont view the car in the dark, wait until its daylight

Deleted User 234324 · 27 Oct 2008 at 12:47

I know its a bit of a risk due to the water damage but i can get a warrenty on the vehicle for £220 per year.

The owner has the reciepts for the engine which is still under a warrenty. Replacement engine cost just over 3k.

BullBoyShoes · 27 Oct 2008 at 12:51

I`m wondering why someone would spend 3k on a 5k car and then sell it on?

Sone · 27 Oct 2008 at 12:54

BullBoyShoes said:
I`m wondering why someone would spend 3k on a 5k car and then sell it on?

because without the engine its worth about £500 so they are £1500 up

BullBoyShoes · 27 Oct 2008 at 13:01

so why not keep the car, it has a brand new engine with warranty, you aint gonna get that anywhere else for 1500 notes

jamief · 27 Oct 2008 at 13:02

I'd walk away.

Rainmaker · 27 Oct 2008 at 13:47

jamief said:
I'd walk away.

gillywibble · 27 Oct 2008 at 13:52

jamief said:
I'd walk away.

Without a doubt.

[TW]Fox · 27 Oct 2008 at 13:58

MadMossy said:
also have the option of getting it inspected at nationwide autocentre in plymouth.

I don't see the benefit of letting an untrained monkey put it on a ramp.

Demon · 27 Oct 2008 at 14:01

If it had water in the engine, I guess it's had water in the car? possible flood damage? (especially since it was last year.. ) in which case, as people are pointing out, the engine may be the tip of the iceberg..

[TW]Fox · 27 Oct 2008 at 14:02

Demon said:
If it had water in the engine, I guess it's had water in the car? possible flood damage? in which case, as people are pointing out, the engine may be the tip of the iceberg..

Well no, not really. It's driven through a flood and sucked water into the intake - ie, the engine was running. Probably undamaged inside. It will have had a new engine as an insurance payout and insurers write off cars with internal (ie, interior) water damage anyway.

Deleted User 234324 · 27 Oct 2008 at 14:07

It was indeed water through the intake that caused the damage.

The engine was replaced via an insurance payout, they have offered to drive the car to me for viewing, but i rather know where its comming from and more specifically there address. Only a mad person would drive a car thats falling apart/dangerous which i dont think it is.

Its only my first car so im not sure what to look for yet, and obviously i wouldnt want to go over budget or waste money but at the same time my mind has been set on the focus mk2 for months now and everything else ive seen just looks ugly.

Bill101 · 27 Oct 2008 at 14:12

MadMossy said:
It was indeed water through the intake that caused the damage.
Only a mad person would drive a car thats falling apart/dangerous which i dont think it is.

This shows some desperation in wanting to unload the soddenD) thing.

Click to expand...

Firestar_3x · 27 Oct 2008 at 14:21

This car really could go either way, i'd be tempted to have a look but i would be more willing than usual to walk.

I'd want to know who fitted the new engine and if it is indeed a new engine or a unit from a salvage yard.

Clearly due to it having a new engine fitted check the engine numbers vs the V5 etc.

Provided its just engine damage and a new unit has been fitted correctly i don't see a problem myself, only issue is resale value and actually selling the car down the line could be an issue, might be a car you have to keep longterm.