Hello all,

I'm in the market of buying a used 2007/8 mk2 or 2.5 Focus 1.8 Zetec Climate around and test driving ones that are 35,000 to 50,000 miles. I wanted help with knowing what I should be looking and hearing out for during the test drive?? As well as any other things I should look out for. Wanted to avoid expensive lemon stings costs later on :)

Thank You,

Fordfolk

See the mk2 common issues thread at the top of the forum

Cheers artscot79 :)

If its the Duratec HE 125 bhp engine, listen for Pinking on light acceleration or accelerating up hills on light throttle. Also on the MK2 look out for the poor dashboard fit where it meets the door cards (big gap one side ,small gap the other) its almost standard on pre facelift cars so dont let it worry you too much. rear number plate lamps and holders gather water and rust away the connections. The most important one in my opinion is that they have a high gearing, the final drive ratio is around 4.27:1 as oppoosed to the 1.6 being something like 3.58, so you will be constantly reaching to change up a gear from fifth.....not too bad on minor roads, but cruising on the motorway, while not damaging to the car is very high revving, somewhere around 3250 rpm at 70mph which for me was high and fuel greedy. the higher final drive may suit you, it makes it feel nippy round town and on minor roads.

Sorry forgot to add our 2007 1.8 Duratec HE Zetec had a very hard ride, good for sporty cornering but not so comfy on bumpy potholed roads. to be fair it had the 17" sport pack wheels on with lower profile tyres so that added to the harsh ride, but it was still stiffly sprung. Oh and pre facelift cars didnt have rubber trims down the sides of the rear window so water ran into the boot when opened, but you can buy the strips from Fords.