Hi All, new to the forum and looking for your collective thoughts on buying a 2001 2.0 Mondeo Estate diesel. 170k miles on the clock. Log book says it's a 2.0 TD LX.

Test drove last night, no bangs or rattles. Suspect it's the 90bhp, wasn't exactly brisk. It's not an oil painting but reason for buying it is as a third car to do some moving with and put the dogs in the back occasionally. It's going quite cheaply but don't want a large lemon on my driveway.

Issues:

Some smoke but not excessive from oil filler when cap removed.

Sounded like the exhaust manifold was leaking, noisy diesel engine type rattle from behind dash on acceleration.

Handbrake doesn't hold car when applied.

Glove box lid won't stay closed.

All thoughts/opinions appreciated,

smoke directly from the oil filter when cap is removed could be either an exceptionally underserviced car or a worse issue still (head gasket?). The exhaust manifold could be as simple as a gasket, so I would go back for a second look at least and check the manifold isnt shaken loose and rusty. Handbreak is easy to adjust in the grand scheme of things.

As for the lid, again rather simple, just replace the catch or clip if necessary.

To be honest, the oil is what concerns me. If you really like the look of this car, I would say this... Go with the owner, take the car to somewhere like kwik fit and pay for them to do an oil filter and oil replacement - total cost is £60 or so. (if you cant talk the owner into paying for it, and adding it onto the sale price)

Either you will have thrown £60 into it and its still rubbish - in which case, if it still smokes, you spent £60 to throw in the towel and realise there could be a much bigger issue.Alternatively, you might find the car is smoke free and sweet as a nut, and with the manifold checked and confirmed not rusting, then you may feel confident enough to buy the car, and you can subtract the £60 from the pricei f you pay for it.

The car may well be good, and this small niggle might be as simple as a bad oil and filter combo.

The above is what I would do if this car was almost perfect for me and there was nothing around me worth looking at.