MK3 Mondeo

Phil W · 30 Jan 2010 at 18:16

Off to view one tomorrow...

I know theres a few MK3 owners on here, just looking for some info on what to look out for?

Knocks, bangs, know rust areas, bushes?

Thanks

MrFunex · 30 Jan 2010 at 18:19

are you looking at a petrol or diesel?

PinkFloyd · 30 Jan 2010 at 18:19

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=119

peterattheboro · 30 Jan 2010 at 18:22

Rust on the rear arches is one thing to look out for. The rear bumper can sag also but this may just be for the ST220 models.

Phil W · 30 Jan 2010 at 18:25

Its a diesel, TDCi 130.

greengiant · 30 Jan 2010 at 20:12

Check the insides of the doors for rust along the bottom edge.

rmuir · 30 Jan 2010 at 21:55

Hi

Check the condition of the seal that that runs from front to back of the door openings. For the bushes it will, I'm told, sound like a definite metal on metal knocking noise. dmf issues are worth investigating ( trouble starting can be an indicator as can a rough/rattly idle ).

Whats the craic with the car your going to see? age/spec etc?

SoliD · 30 Jan 2010 at 23:08

Rust on doors/rear arches as mentioned plus listen out for issues with rear subframe bushes being worn. DMF issues are always worth looking out for. But I would read up on these rather than me giving you a brief overview. Alloys will probably be rubbish but thats standard.

ajstan · 31 Jan 2010 at 00:11

Bushes are a weakness I believe

Sone · 31 Jan 2010 at 02:53

check the service history for "DW top garage init"

Phil W · 31 Jan 2010 at 18:56

Went to view this today.

Looks pretty good in the pictures, mileage and history certainly make it look a nice car.

Got to the "traders" today (outside his house) and he pulled up in it with a flat tyre to start with.

Bottoms of all 4 doors had rust, drivers door was eating through the outer skin too. Stone chips all over the front, every single wheel was kerbed to hell (and corroded), there was a dirty great big scrape on the rear quarter where it met the rear passenger door, and when the bonnet finally opened (wouldn't budge for 10mins) it was filthy underneath.

Just goes to show that pictures really do tell a thousand lies!

peterattheboro · 31 Jan 2010 at 19:31

Phil W said:
Went to view this today.

Looks pretty good in the pictures, mileage and history certainly make it look a nice car.

Got to the "traders" today (outside his house) and he pulled up in it with a flat tyre to start with.

Bottoms of all 4 doors had rust, drivers door was eating through the outer skin too. Stone chips all over the front, every single wheel was kerbed to hell (and corroded), there was a dirty great big scrape on the rear quarter where it met the rear passenger door, and when the bonnet finally opened (wouldn't budge for 10mins) it was filthy underneath.

Just goes to show that pictures really do tell a thousand lies!

Interior is horrid compared to the facelift version. Also why is the Zetec S badge wonky as hell?

I assume you're not buying that one

Phil W · 31 Jan 2010 at 19:33

I'd rather buy one with 30k more on the clock, it would probably be in better condition.

The guy was honest enough... when i was there! Although to be fair i didn't really ask *too* many questions on the phone.

Interior isn't really much different from face-lift apart from the centre console.

peterattheboro · 31 Jan 2010 at 19:34

Look at the facelift version and it's a million times better.

[TW]Fox · 31 Jan 2010 at 19:36

Staggered it was so bad, its a low mileage car which in OcUK land means its perfect.

Phil W · 31 Jan 2010 at 19:48

Don't really see the point in spending a couple of thousand more for a "facelift" one when the only real difference is the centre console.

I have noticed that the earlier ones are 5 speed, and later ones are 6 speed. Is there much difference between the two?

Gribs · 31 Jan 2010 at 20:10

peterattheboro said:
Interior is horrid compared to the facelift version. Also why is the Zetec S badge wonky as hell?

I assume you're not buying that one

As someone who has a ghia pre faclift mk3 I've got to say it looks a lot better than that one. Just having the centre console the same colour as the rest of the trim and having climate control makes it look a lot better. Imo it not worth getting anything less than Ghia trim as there's so many avaialble.

peterattheboro · 31 Jan 2010 at 20:15

Gribs said:
As someone who has a ghia pre faclift mk3 I've got to say it looks a lot better than that one. Just having the centre console the same colour as the rest of the trim and having climate control makes it look a lot better. Imo it not worth getting anything less than Ghia trim as there's so many avaialble.

Can't recall seeing a pre-facelift Ghia interior.

And the difference between 5 and 6 speed will be minimal. Ford have always made strong gearboxes so can't think how it could have been improved apart from having an extra gear which is just 'nice'.

Gribs · 31 Jan 2010 at 20:31

Here's mine

Tican · 31 Jan 2010 at 20:57

Phil W said:
Went to view this today.

Looks pretty good in the pictures, mileage and history certainly make it look a nice car.

Got to the "traders" today (outside his house) and he pulled up in it with a flat tyre to start with.

Bottoms of all 4 doors had rust, drivers door was eating through the outer skin too. Stone chips all over the front, every single wheel was kerbed to hell (and corroded), there was a dirty great big scrape on the rear quarter where it met the rear passenger door, and when the bonnet finally opened (wouldn't budge for 10mins) it was filthy underneath.

Just goes to show that pictures really do tell a thousand lies!

"Looks And Performs Like New - Very Hard To Find in This Condition - First To View Will Buy!"

The guy was honest enough... when i was there! Although to be fair i didn't really ask *too* many questions on the phone.

Can't be that honest