Focus Mk2 1.6 Low Mileage Between MOTs

joey1211

joey1211

joey1211

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My Astra has finally died (rings in the engine gone, drinking oil)

This Focus has caught my eye on the bay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/302243374880?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

My mate reckons he's a dealer from the language he's using in the description. The recent mileage between MOT also looks a bit odd.

5,000; 7,000; 6,000; 4,000; 5,000; 500 (re-MOT'd after 3 months); 4,000

Having a look at it over the weekend. Should alarm bells be ringing?
 
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No - just looks like low mileage. Mot'ed after 3 months could be if it was sold to someone else and as goodwill gesture, or could be as daft as to move the MOT anniversary to a different date e.g. from Tax or insurance.


From the ebay page, just looks like a small garage (e.g. one man band) buying parts e.g. to fix cars, and maybe this is just an ex-customer car that has been repaired and resold (E.g. for something labour intensive)
 
If the car looks well used, ie the steering wheel is all worn and the seats look as though they've had someone sat in them for 10000 hours then I'd be suspicious, but low mileage between mot's doesn't mean the car's been clocked every year, you know if something is old and well used so just see how it is when you sit inside it.

Just checked out the ad, seems genuine, could be a bargain there op!
 
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Means nothing in itself - our second car can easily do as little as 2-3k between MOT's. The 3 month retest could be as simple as the MOT being redone to sell the car with a 12 month ticket
 
Janesy B said:
Of course it will look bit worn, it's a 10 year old car.
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You say that, but if it has been looked after and hasn't had a great big fat heffer sat in the drivers seat its whole life it could still look and feel pretty decent. Yes not brand new but you know what I'm getting at.

I had a ten year old Focus that was in fantastic condition inside when I bought it.
 
You'd run a mile from the Scorpio Cosworth I'm selling then - it's had approx 2000 miles between mot for the last 7 MOT's.
 
Can't you replace the rings in your Astra?
Pull the head and bottom off and replace the rings, and big end bearings if needed.
Cheaper than buying a new car.
 
I've never done any work on a car though it's something I would like to try. Without a second car to tied me over while I tinker I need something to get me to work everyday. A mate has suggested using STP and a thicker oil to see if it makes a difference but I think it will only be a very short fix until it goes bang.
 
It's the 100bhp and not the 115bhp version. Took it out today. Felt a bit gutless compared to my 1.6 Astra (85bhp).

The reserve is £500 under what honestjohn says it's worth.
 
Scania said:
Thought so, I remember asking why it was on such a late plate... £2,895.00 - is that far from what you sold it for?
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I sold it for 3400. Looking at the MOT history since it's had some major chassis welding done (what 20+ year old Ford hasn't?) - guy probably just wants rid.

They are also getting incredibly hard to keep on the road - things like wishbones are getting hard to find and water pumps just don't exist anymore. It really needs to be garaged and pampered - they aren't daily drivers anymore.

It is the best late 90's/early noughties luxo barge I've ever driven though - very underrated - mainly for the looks (although I think the facelifted ones like mine eased the garishness a bit), I rate it higher than my both my Lexus LS400 and 430 and my Dads 2001 BMW 530.
 
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