Hi all seen a few ex police focus 1.8 tdci estate 2.5 coming up for sale at the moment, Are they worth a try as see to be a good price I know odd marks etc but im tempted....

They get driven hard from cold 24 hours a day but they also get serviced well and regularly so it's swings and roundabouts when it comes to reliability etc.

I personally wouldn't because of possible holes in dash/roof, faded paintwork from decals etc all the lets say 'interesting' people that have taken a ride in the back and may or may not have secreted bodily fluids etc....

I personally wouldn't due to the same comments above. They get looked after when in police force but also have a hard life. They also tend to be pretty basic, e.g no alloys, air con, fog lights etc correct me if I am wrong?

How much are they coming up at and what sort of millage?

They normally have fog lights and air con but no alloys

to be honest you can get some very good buys!

For the guys comments above, OK you get the odd few holes from equipment but normally they pad those in where possible. Alternatively you find that an undercover car is less likely to have these.

As for the car and any fluids that may exist, a good valet should ensure that isnt so much of an issue.

I always wondered how you can come across a police car for sale!

Clive would be best to answer this

I guess like any used car it can be pot luck. Sometime you get a good one and sometimes you get a lemon! :D

Clive would be best to answer this

I'm sure he will have something to say when he sees this thread! :)

Ex military/ministry are a good buy if you can get to the auctions where they sell them .

there are loads of ex police cars at the auctions

I,d go for an ex military/ ministry one all day long and likely to have less mileage on them just as well maintained if not better.

thanks for the views :D

depends how they come up

if theres a full fleet then its fair enough.

but I know that some of them with BMWs were selling those when the timing belts were about to go because it was more cost effective to replace the cars!

..same for all used cars though!

I don't really understand how people can say they're driven hard 24 hours a day,they're only driven hard In a pursuit,otherwise they're driven pretty much the same as we drive them.they're maintained to a point where money is of no problem,alloys can be bought pretty cheap from eBay along with back passenger seats if you're really that bothered.dash holes can be filled in too.most police cars are reflashed for extra performance and if you can get hold of an unmarked one then you're usually on for a bargain.

My work car is serviced every 3 months and (surprising considering my driving style) is mint.

It has alloys, double aircon (one for cab and a low profile custom install for the dog carriers in the back).

All my dash modules are held on Brodit mounts so no holes and rare for a Police car still has a stereo fitted.

There is a Cleartone Police radio fitted (in glovebox) and a second aerial on the roof (easily removed and the hole plugged).

My previous car was badged and a bit of fading in the paintwork did show when de-badged but when done over with a mop and compound looked great.

My current car is unmarked and looks just like sn estate car wiyh tinted rear windows.

Police cars do get high mileage but are generally very well maintained.

My own MK2 had medium high mileage as I bought it ex fleet but it was mint.

I used to be a police officer and I certainly wouldn't touch any of the cars we had.

Depends on a lot of factors. I worked at a busy station and nobody gave a crap about the cars. They never got serviced on time because stations didn't want to be without them.

Different forces might have different attitudes right enough!

In all fairness,we had a 1999 ml320 that wasn't seriviced for 6 years,not even an oil change and it ran like new to the day we sold it.never had a problem with the car despite their apparent "reputation" for being unreliable.

My mate at work has had 2. Very cheap and all that the first one blew up on the motorway and the current one he has sounds like a complete bag of nails. Both 1.7cdti Astra's (which may have something to do with it lol)

Yeh, My force has started changing over to Astras :(.

I was given the option of a marked Astra ot an unmarked Focus.

A total no-brainer in my books.

My car is very unremarkable now, unless you know what to look for you'd never know it was a Police vehicle.

A couple of extra lights on the bumpers, a second aerial and an ANPR camera (the screen looks like a pop out radio screen).

Foot operated radio ptt and light control panel in the ashtray cubby so the vehicle is well stealthy ;).

Most of the "unmarked" police cars around here are really easy to spot, second antenna on the roof, gps tracker also mounted on the roof, the clearly visible interior fitting, additional lights etc.

That being said, I would go for one of the traffic cars in the future, usually a decent spec and top engine combination. Also I think they usually get a remap of sorts to give a little extra power.

all the forces round here are moving over to astra's looks like ford focus no more round here for some reason...

Oh aye, I'm running my own car on a Police spec Bluefin map and it goes like a stabbed cat.

Most Forces will return cars to original spec when disposing of them but quite often forget to roll the map back too.

Couple of things you do normally find on ex Force cars is extra wiring popping out of strange places and stereos missing (Ford sell radio blanking plates for emergency spec cars) but other than normal wear and tear only.

West Midlands Police are now using insignias/corsas as beat cars. BMW's as traffic and I have seen a few unmarked Audi A5's

I keep plugging my boss for an ST and was always told no because they didn't come as an estate.

Now they do but my boss is always in a 'meeting'.

I will not be put off though :d

One day me beauty ;)

keep trying...lol