Just bought an old car any advice welcome.

[Markbon]

It's a mk2 focus. The seller had the oil done every year but not much else. So timings belt could be hanging on by it's finger tips apart from that is there any thing to look for. It was cheap and has low milage but the old lady owner had a few bumps so never going to be a show winner.
Any general advice or specific to a focus would be good.
I put E5 petrol in it but not sure it's it needs it every time though. Cheers.

 

[Burnerman]

It could be a good buy.......what is the MOT status?
It's sure to need such items like discs and pads - nothing to worry about there.
The Focus of this generation did tend to let water drain from the bonnet into the spark plug wells, so it's worth a look see there.
Timing belt and auxiliary belt replacement is a must, and they did like the correct Ford Zetec oil.
John

 

[thomp1983]

Not wanting to detract from some of the knowledgeable guys in here but I'd sign up at,

https://www.fordownersclub.com/

It's a very good ford forum, they've helped me with a few different issues on my mk3 focus, there's also a faq sections that covers most common issues with each generation.

 

[jj4091]

It could be a good buy.......what is the MOT status?
It's sure to need such items like discs and pads - nothing to worry about there.
The Focus of this generation did tend to let water drain from the bonnet into the spark plug wells, so it's worth a look see there.
Timing belt and auxiliary belt replacement is a must, and they did like the correct Ford Zetec oil.
John

was it that model that leaked into the back as well as the front?

 

[Markbon]

It could be a good buy.......what is the MOT status?
It's sure to need such items like discs and pads - nothing to worry about there.
The Focus of this generation did tend to let water drain from the bonnet into the spark plug wells, so it's worth a look see there.
Timing belt and auxiliary belt replacement is a must, and they did like the correct Ford Zetec oil.
John

It's got about 9 months on the MOT. It's been passing without many advisories but it's only been doing 2 or 3 thousand miles a year to be fair. I've discovered the screen washers are both only dribbling a bit of water hopefully that pump is easily to get to

 

[Markbon]

Not wanting to detract from some of the knowledgeable guys in here but I'd sign up at,

https://www.fordownersclub.com/

It's a very good ford forum, they've helped me with a few different issues on my mk3 focus, there's also a faq sections that covers most common issues with each generation.

Ta.

 

[mattylad]

Check the manufacturing date on the tires, check them for sidewall cracks.
I have original tires from 2017 on mine and it was an advisory on an MOT, my rear ones need changing.

 

[Mottie]

It's got about 9 months on the MOT. It's been passing without many advisories but it's only been doing 2 or 3 thousand miles a year to be fair. I've discovered the screen washers are both only dribbling a bit of water hopefully that pump is easily to get to

Pull the pipes off of the back of the jets and see if you get a good flow when the washers are used. If you do, just clean the jets out.