Buying a Ford mondeo..what to look out for?

emptyshed

Goin to look at a few mondeos for a friend, think it's the mk3, 2004/2005 models.
Any common issues to look out for/be aware of.

vectra

I had a '02 Zetec 1.8 as my last car.. Couldn't fault it except for it's thirst..
Then again most of my driving was about town.
Only problem I had was the heated front screen would not work until the temp was above 4 degrees at which point the windscreen was clear anyway..
But if you can manage to find a Zetec at the right price then go for it over the LX..

Mr Benevolent

emptyshed wrote: »

Goin to look at a few mondeos for a friend, think it's the mk3, 2004/2005 models.
Any common issues to look out for/be aware of.

Are you buying the petrol or diesel? What spec?

x in the city

buy a zetec model first and foremost

secondly get it looked at as there are a few million lying around for sale and no excuse to pick up a lemon

its not rocket science.

johnos1984

Try and get one that has had the clutch done, its difficult to tell what their condition is.

Its a subframe off job to replace and therefore expensive. Having said that they are a very nice car and would be near the top of my shopping list.

Damien360

If it is a diesel there are a few variants.

90bhp TDDI - slow as hell but you could'nt break them. I had one of those and put over 100,000 miles on it without a single problem. 3 others in the company with same story and similar miles.

115bhp and higher TDCI - great car, great handling but the TDCI engine can be troublesome with blocked injectors. Very common problem. I had one those also but the injectors broke my heart. I put over 100,000 miles on it but went through a total of 8 injectors. Not cheap to replace. Ask any Ford mechanic about the 2.0TDCI and you will get the same story.

Still did'nt stop me getting the current model though !

vengeance52

check the inside edges of the doors, as the MK3 mondeo were prone to a bit of rust around the edges of the doors, esp at the bottom of the door.

groupb

First of all get a zetec. The mondeo was revised in 04' and has a different interior. Otherwise there is'nt much to look out for. In my experience these are probably the toughest cars in their class. I've had two and never had any issues. As a drivers car they (and the 3 series) are easily the best big saloon around. You can afford to be choosy and get the very best as they don't seem to have the snob value of (the inferior) A4 , passat etc.

bmw535d

look out for the ford badge. FIX OR REPAIR DAILY

bazz26

bmw535d wrote: »

look out for the ford badge. FIX OR REPAIR DAILY

Rubbish old wives tale.

Fords are as reliable as any these days, alot more so than some marques with "preceived" reputations for reliability.

emptyshed

Think he's lookin for petrol (1.8), as high a spec as possible...not a huge budget though.
From the little checking I've done there's a lot of decent looking 04's for under 5,000.

Is the zetec higher spec than the Lx?? (I havent paid much attention to fords since I had a 1984 escort!!!)

One of the mates whos a Garda swears by the mondeos, recons they drive the arse out of them 24/7.

Damien360

Damien360 wrote: »

90bhp TDDI - slow as hell but you could'nt break them.

Had one too, DMF and intercooler probs in year one under warranty, dunno about after that as I hated the job so I quit

Big, comfy car that was light on diesel but unreal engine noise.

johnos1984

Tell him to get a 1.8l 04/05 Mondeo SCI. Gorgeous car, every extra including a six speed box if I remember correctly.

Here's a few bits to read:

http://buyingacar.suite101.com/article.cfm/buying_used_ford_mondeo_mk3_20002007