ABS is a legal requirement on cars built from a certain year, but I dont know what year.

From quick research, it appears it was mid-2004. So this car wouldn't be covered by that.

It says in the description it has ABS certainly, I know that might go for nothing.

It says in the description it has ABS certainly, I know that might go for nothing.

I just noticed that. Under Safety!

I never noticed it before becuase I first looked at it on motors.co.uk and that website only carries the text decription. I'll have to ring the dealer to confirm the ABS thing though - I don't trust any of the details of cars to be accurate as I suspect most are just copied and pasted.

I'm sure you're covered by law if they state it has something it hasn't. False advertising and what not.

I'm sure you're covered by law if they state it has something it hasn't. False advertising and what not.

That's true. Never thought about that.

Unless they can argue that I saw the car before purchasing and (somehow) should be able to tell.

On a related note: how can I tell?

Irregardless whether you can tell or not, if they state it has ABS and it hasn't they have lied.

Start the ignition up and the ABS light should/may come on.

Irregardless whether you can tell or not, if they state it has ABS and it hasn't they have lied.

Start the ignition up and the ABS light should/may come on.

I'll keep an eye out for it. Hoping to test drive this car this week. Waiting for the dealer to reply to my email about it...

Most car sale sites use a generic template, which ties into a generic database pulling the car data back on number plate and it's not overly accirate

I had cars that supposedly had perimeter alarms and alsorts

Most car sale sites use a generic template, which ties into a generic database pulling the car data back on number plate and it's not overly accirate

I had cars that supposedly had perimeter alarms and alsorts

In that case, if the car tuned out not to have ABS, would they be in breach of the Sale of Goods Act?

If that is the only advert yes, if they have a data sheet in the car this is the one to follow or if the trader advised you otherwise then yes you are correct. Normally the websites have a note somewhere saying data is for guidance purposes only

At the bottom of the page they do have a disclaimer saying they are just generic specs. Considering the description doesn't mention ABS, I'm guessing it doesn't actually have it.

It's quite likely that its not got it, but take the number plate and put it into ford etis for more accurate information

It's quite likely that its not got it

Just spoke to the dealer, they said it does have it. The conversation is recorded so if it turns out it doesn't after I buy it, I should be covered :)

I just found it the MOT that it just had (last week) gave it 2 advisories:

1) The brake fluid reservoir is nearly empty

2) The back box has deteriorated

I have no idea what either of these mean. Is it something that should make me rethink buying the car?

Brake fluid is fairly cheap. Back box can be expensive. £180 upwards.

Did you tell them the call was recorded?

If you can get a picture of the engine bay and fire it up we can say for sure if it does or not, the abs pump will give it away.

The fluid needs topping up, hopefully isn't leaking.

The backbox/rear section of the exhaust is corroded and will need replacing.

Brake fluid is fairly cheap. Back box can be expensive. £180 upwards.

An aftermarket/Klarius replacement back box can be had for around £20 plus fitting. But as always with exhausts, it depends in the condition of the rest of the system.

The brake fluid isn't really a concern then if it is so cheap and easy to replace. However, as the exhaust sounds like it could be an issue and I don't really want to be doing many repairs to the car, do you think it is better to avoid this car?

(Considering it will take be 2 hours to get to the car as well - it isn't local).

Did you tell them the call was recorded?

Nope, and don't need to legally.

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/oftel/consumer/advice/faqs/prvfaq3.htm

thibknthis ones dead in the water now. Move on. Look for something else. Have you not considered a fiesta seeing as it's a first car?

I wouldn't say no, if the brake fluid is topped up (check brake pad wear first if possible, fluid does go down with brake wear) and a back box replacement isn't much, a exhaust place won't be bank breaking to change a box. I'd expect these sorts of things on a 1k car

Sent from my Gen 1 WAP phone

Have you not considered a fiesta seeing as it's a first car?

Focuses and Fiestas are essentially the same car, right? Just a slightly different look.

I know this is a stupid idea but I have always thought of Fiestas as more of a women's car (maybe because my Mom and sister both had Fiestas).

Would it be worth looking more into these too then?

Fiestas are great first cars. My first car was one and there's no stigma attached to them. Boy racers love them too! They're cheap to run and insure.

Stick to the Focus, better car overall.

That one looks like a good buy, you can't expect it to be perfect with that price and age.

I would disagree they are the same car overall, fiesta is lighter and more nimble and as a first car you want a small engine which the fiesta offers that way you can get a better deal on insurance. Focus is a bigger and heavier car, with a starting engine of 1.4 litre as opposed to 1.0 on a fiesta so insurance is more expensive.

Don't write off the fiesta just yet, besides for my first car I saw someone at college drive a Citroën ax... I swore I hated the look of the car, it looked ugly and weird and just seemed stupid. Kept telling myself that will not be a car I drive.... Then I bought one 6 months later! 400 quid and the car lasted me about 18 months with little work needed.... Brake pads where the only thing I replaced in that time and I clocked up at of miles....

Moral of the story is just because the car might seem like a woman's car to you, doesn't mean it's not the best car for you ;)