Focus 1.8 Tdci - To Buy Or Not To Buy

[joe crabtree]

Hi all, I'm new here this is my first post.

So basically the Mrs is learning to drive and has her test coming up very soon so we are on the hunt for a cheap car for her. We've seen a 52 plate 1.8 tdci 115 with 167k on the clock, heated leather seats, heated screen, full electrics, decent tyres etc but a bit of rust on the boot and a door. The guy wanted 700 (originally 900) so we had a look at it, checked the advisories on the mot, asked for the service book so I could check cambelt history and he said that the kids had had it and it was lost. Took it for a test drive anyway and noticed the clutch was slipping quite badly but other than that it was a pleasant drive. I told the guy I'd get some quotes for a clutch and get back to him, and got some quotes from my local ford garage and a couple of independent ones. Ford wants 640 and the others wanted 400-440 and if it needed a new dmf it would be more like 700, so told the guy selling the car and said I didn't want it. He messaged me a couple of hours later and said he had found a garage that could do it for 218 supplied and fitted and he would give us the car for 600, to which I said to get it done himself and sell it but not to me (I was totally put off by this point).

Now he is saying that the car is holding him back from getting his new one and we can have it for 550 or he will get the 218 quid clutch and sell it us for 750 (he originally wanted 900 a couple of weeks ago when I first enquired). So I'm a bit confused really, is he just desperate to get rid, is the car even a good deal considering the high 167k mileage, and what have I missed that he can get a clutch for 218 and the ones I phoned were double that ? Should I avoid this one ? Or avoid focus tdci altogether ? The Mrs really likes the car but I don't wanna blow our money on a scrapper.

Sorry for the huge essay :-) cheers

[youngy_315]

I would avoid it. A clutch fitted for 218 seems optimistic. But the real off putting is the no service history, especially at that mileage. Probably missed a whole load of services and maybe not the belt done. Nothing wrong with high mileage if it has paperwork.

I certainly wouldn't buy it, even if she does love it.

[FocusSmudge]

Sounds like a good spec, but honestly, I'd pass.

I'd be reluctant to buy a diesel with that sort of mileage and no service history. It's a bargain at that price, but best save your money and wait for another.

There's plenty around to choose from which will give a better package overall.

[joe crabtree]

Cheers guys thats pretty much what I was thinking but thought best to check since I wouldn't wanna miss out on a good deal. When I asked about the mot and what not the guy pulled out the Ford zip wallet thing with all sorts in it, so didn't make sense how the kids had got hold of the service history and lost it, but not lost the v5 and mots etc. The only thing keeping me interested was the high spec really (compared to my 1.6 zetec anyway!!) But like you say there is plenty around and I really don't want to waste the Mrs car budget on repair bills !! Got about a grand for her car so gonna keep looking I think. Cheers

[FocusSmudge]

Cheers guys thats pretty much what I was thinking but thought best to check since I wouldn't wanna miss out on a good deal. When I asked about the mot and what not the guy pulled out the Ford zip wallet thing with all sorts in it, so didn't make sense how the kids had got hold of the service history and lost it, but not lost the v5 and mots etc. The only thing keeping me interested was the high spec really (compared to my 1.6 zetec anyway!!) But like you say there is plenty around and I really don't want to waste the Mrs car budget on repair bills !! Got about a grand for her car so gonna keep looking I think. Cheers

Good call :)