16 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

ST-Line is a very basic spec.

Simple Tatty-Line ? 🤣

 

 

17 minutes ago, unofix said:

Simple Tatty-Line ? 🤣

 

 

Sanitary Towel-Line.  Even comes with a big wing on the back!  

I'm still a bit puzzled by the definition of "newish" on this thread. To me, that means up to 3 years or so, while we seem to be talking about 9 year olds here.

Clearly things have improved since I started driving, when a 9 year old was often one step from the scrappy, but even at average annual mileage you're still talking cars that have done 70-90k miles and possibly facing major component replacement.

At this age, the priority (and hard enough to achieve) is to find a car with sound mechanicals and bodywork and no imminent big ticket replacements needed shortly, not "nice to have" but non-essentials like heated seats or specific colours.

Found this one guys

http://www.newportmotorcompany.co.uk/used-vehicle-details/used-ford-focus-15-tdci-120-zetec-edition-5dr-hatchback-silver-manual-diesel/id-74803861/

And this one

http://www.newportmotorcompany.co.uk/used-vehicle-details/used-ford-focus-15-tdci-95-zetec-5dr-estate-silver-manual-diesel/id-74927678/#gallery-15

Didn't think we could go downwards from an ST-Line but now we've reached Zetec...  

That one isn't even black.  Also don't take any notice of the advert.  That's only got a speed limiter, not cruise control.  No heated seats either.

 

What is the criteria now?  I've slightly lost track since the thread started...  

11 minutes ago, froggy8 said:

And this one

http://www.newportmotorcompany.co.uk/used-vehicle-details/used-ford-focus-15-tdci-95-zetec-5dr-estate-silver-manual-diesel/id-74927678/#gallery-15

That one is at least old enough for cheap tax.  £20 a year.

But 95bhp in a Focus isn't enough, let alone a heavier estate.  If going for a diesel I'd definitely recommend the 120 over the 95.

Many thanks tom

Problem is I can't seem to find one with what I want so I'm just looking around for a decent ish one. 

I will have another look if these 2 I've linked isn't good enough. 

As long as its reliable, I would prefer petrol but seems to be more diesel than petrol over here. 

Also them 2 cars I just linked is in my local garage so if I can find a good one there then it would be better for me

hey @TomsFocus would you recommend st line over zetec?

7 minutes ago, froggy8 said:

Many thanks tom

Problem is I can't seem to find one with what I want so I'm just looking around for a decent ish one. 

I will have another look if these 2 I've linked isn't good enough. 

As long as its reliable, I would prefer petrol but seems to be more diesel than petrol over here. 

I reckon all the city boys have sent the diesels down there due to the ULEZ zones.  

I'm a fan of diesels but they don't suit everyone.  If your driving style doesn't work for a diesel then you could end up with DPF issues.  That 1.5 TDCI engine is generally reliable though.  Worth noting they'll all be due a cambelt change around 10 years old so check the history with the garage.

My previous replies were slightly tongue in cheek of course, I'm a lot more fussy about car spec than most people, so I don't really want to put you off any car that might be fine for you, just because it wouldn't be my choice.  I'm just concerned that you're spending potentially thousands on a car that won't really be any better than the one you have in the real world.

My preference would be Titanium minimum.  But ideally Titanium X, or ST-Line X if you want the better looks and don't mind a slightly firmer ride.  There isn't much to choose between Zetec & ST-Line in all honesty.  I wouldn't buy either myself.

Looking at that garage, I would prefer the Mondeo over either of those Focus's.  It is a Zetec again, but Mondeo Zetec is better specced than Focus Zetec.  Main thing that would put me off that one is the price.

 

I can have a look on Autotrader for local cars within say 5 miles of that garage postcode to see if there are any better Focus's about.  Don't have time to do it this afternoon unfortunately.

thanks again @TomsFocus really appreciate your help in this.

i have bought privately all my life so was thinking about buying one from the garage.

to be honest i dont mind what car i get now. i still have around 2 months left till mot expires but it is a mine field trying to find a car 😞 that is why i thoguth about tryong ot find one now than later.

Blimey, there really isn't much down there!  Had to work search radius to 15 miles.

 

Cheapest one I quite like - Titanium spec in black with a recent cambelt change.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507094333455?

 

Cheapest with the best spec - All the spec you wanted and more.  Much more interesting colour than black.  (This is probably the one I'd buy).

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506304021711?

 

Best petrol engine - 1.5 EcoBoost.  180bhp.  Great colour again.  Automatic gearbox would put me off.  Also showing more signs of age than others.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507234765318? 

 

Staying closer to home - This one looks alright.  But nothing special.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507264844477? 

 

Even removing 'Ford' doesn't leave many options in your area.  Nothing else within 5 miles that I'd choose over that blue Focus estate.  Think you will probably have to further afield, regardless of whether keeping to Ford or not.

7 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

My preference would be Titanium minimum.  But ideally Titanium X,

I have to agree that Titanium would be the minimum.

As the owner of a 2019 Focus Titanium X estate. It came with almost everything, but not quite !! There was no reverse camera, no heated steering wheel, and no auto high beam. I've since sorted the reverse camera and AHB, and have just learned to live without the heated steering wheel 😉

2 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

Blimey, there really isn't much down there!  Had to work search radius to 15 miles.

 

Cheapest one I quite like - Titanium spec in black with a recent cambelt change.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507094333455?

 

Cheapest with the best spec - All the spec you wanted and more.  Much more interesting colour than black.  (This is probably the one I'd buy).

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506304021711?

 

Best petrol engine - 1.5 EcoBoost.  180bhp.  Great colour again.  Automatic gearbox would put me off.  Also showing more signs of age than others.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507234765318? 

 

Staying closer to home - This one looks alright.  But nothing special.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202507264844477? 

 

Even removing 'Ford' doesn't leave many options in your area.  Nothing else within 5 miles that I'd choose over that blue Focus estate.  Think you will probably have to further afield, regardless of whether keeping to Ford or not.

I got to say you really went all out with this @TomsFocus I really appreciate what you did here 😊

Also I like the car you said you would buy, just the bhp is bit low for an estate isn't it? 

My car is 115 bhp and wanted maybe a little bit more power. What do you think to remapping it? 

I got bit of change left if I went to buy that car, was looking at some companies when I was thinking about doing it to my car. It is around 250,im thinking that's not a bad price if I went down that route. 

Just want to hear your thoughts

Again many thanks for your help 😊

only just realised that car is 100 miles away 😞 

how accurate is the website carcheck? typed the reg plate in there and it is saying 94bhp?

11 hours ago, unofix said:

I have to agree that Titanium would be the minimum.

As the owner of a 2019 Focus Titanium X estate. It came with almost everything, but not quite !! There was no reverse camera, no heated steering wheel, and no auto high beam. I've since sorted the reverse camera and AHB, and have just learned to live without the heated steering wheel 😉

And on the 2019 Titanium X...headlights from 1989... 🤭

9 hours ago, froggy8 said:

only just realised that car is 100 miles away 😞 

Oh!  No idea how that happened, sorry. 🤦‍♂️

 

8 hours ago, froggy8 said:

how accurate is the website carcheck? typed the reg plate in there and it is saying 94bhp?

I use Free check results for EA17JEO - Total Car Check for BHP.  Seems to be accurate for me so far.

Showing 120bhp.  I don't think the Titanium X was even available with the 95bhp engine.

 

10 hours ago, froggy8 said:

I got to say you really went all out with this @TomsFocus I really appreciate what you did here 😊

Also I like the car you said you would buy, just the bhp is bit low for an estate isn't it? 

My car is 115 bhp and wanted maybe a little bit more power. What do you think to remapping it? 

I got bit of change left if I went to buy that car, was looking at some companies when I was thinking about doing it to my car. It is around 250,im thinking that's not a bad price if I went down that route. 

Just want to hear your thoughts

Again many thanks for your help 😊

No problem.  Shame the red estate is a lot further away than I thought.  No idea how that happened as the radius was set to 15 miles.

Can't really compare petrol and diesel BHP.  120bhp in a diesel will feel much faster than the petrol because of the extra torque.  I had a 115bhp MK3 Focus diesel myself and didn't feel the need to remap it.  That was a hatch though, not an estate.  Haven't seen many people remap these to give any advice on that, would have to do your own research there.

Nice one Tom, I will just drive it and see how it goes. 

It's got an option to deliver so I might do that. 

Been imaging driving that car last night 😁😁

14 minutes ago, froggy8 said:

Nice one Tom, I will just drive it and see how it goes. 

It's got an option to deliver so I might do that. 

Been imaging driving that car last night 😁😁

Just checked the blue one and that's miles away as well.  I think Autotrader must have added random cars in because there weren't many within the search radius!

This one is only half an hour from you I think.  Same engine and spec.  Colour isn't quite as nice.  Also has optional full leather interior which the red one doesn't.

2016 Silver Ford Focus 1.5 TDCi Titanium X Estate 5dr Diesel Manual Euro 6 (s/s) (120 ps) 3 OWNERS + GOOD HISTORY for sale for £7,995 in Tavistock, Devon

Brilliant! That is alot better cheers 😊

Sent them a message to see if cambelt and water pump been done and go from there. 

I went to fowlers bike shop in Bristol... had to pay £10 for the privilege of going 1/4 mile into their ULEZ zone

 

the one above is OK https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/check-your-vehicle/

• EK66BTF This vehicle meets the ULEZ emissions standards  

older tractors are a mistake - one day when they wake up they'll just mandate you won't be able to drive it ever again

there's quite abit you can do to try and check these days https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/

No recalls found.

MOT history---------------------------------------------

Date tested

8 July 2025

PASS

Mileage

70,488 miles

Test location

View test location

 

 

MOT test number

3609 3766 9920

Expiry date

7 July 2026

 

---

Date tested

8 July 2025

FAIL

Mileage

70,486 miles

Test location

View test location

 

 

MOT test number

8237 8114 5887

Repair immediately (major defects):

• Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Nearside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge 215/50 17 (5.2.3 (e))
• Offside Front Inner Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))
• Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

What are defects and advisories?

 

 

---

Date tested

16 December 2024

PASS

Mileage

67,855 miles

Test location

View test location

 

 

MOT test number

5499 7409 0636

Expiry date

29 December 2025

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing in tread (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

What are advisories?

 

---

Date tested

20 December 2023

PASS

Mileage

64,874 miles

Test location

View test location

 

 

MOT test number

8100 5058 9750

Expiry date

29 December 2024

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Nearside Rear Tyre slightly damaged/cracking or perishing (5.2.3 (d) (ii))

What are advisories?

 

---

Date tested

30 December 2022

PASS

Mileage

62,480 miles

Test location

View test location

 

 

MOT test number

6564 1349 1777

Expiry date

29 December 2023

 

---

Date tested

21 September 2022

PASS

Mileage

60,646 miles

Test location

View test location

 

 

MOT test number

6500 6720 7340

Expiry date

21 September 2023

 

---

Date tested

17 September 2021

PASS

Mileage

55,828 miles

Test location

View test location

 

 

MOT test number

3127 1561 8369

Expiry date

21 September 2022

 

---

Date tested

10 September 2020

PASS

Mileage

50,661 miles

Test location

View test location

 

 

MOT test number

6356 2427 0670

Expiry date

21 September 2021

 

---

Date tested

16 September 2019

PASS

Mileage

41,430 miles

Test location

View test location

 

 

MOT test number

5654 8095 7106

Expiry date

21 September 2020

Monitor and repair if necessary (advisories):

• Nearside Front Tyre worn close to legal limit/worn on edge (5.2.3 (e))

What are advisories?

 

 

 

many thanks for everyones help and for toms help choosing my car 🙂 

i have finally bought a car and picking it up either today or latest tomorrow 🙂 

5 hours ago, froggy8 said:

finally bought a car and picking it up either today or latest tomorrow

Thank the Lord 🤣

Does that mean this thread will end ? 🤔