Should I buy a car with an engine that has been replaced

terencemc

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1637307

Hey all,
Just came across the above car on donedeal and called the guy. I asked about the timing belt and he told me that was changed 10k ago but got a friend to do it so he has no receipts.
Also, he added that the engine was replaced at 90k(but he has no records of the new engine - I cant remember why it was replaced)...
Should I just walk away now without seeing it. I did like the way the guy was upfront and told me all this additional info so you could argue that he has nothing to hide. My question is if I brought it to a garage would a mechanic be able to confirm that the t belt was changed and that the new engine is in decent nick?

listermint

Sounds Rough, prob not worth the effort. There are alot of Focus's out there. move on.

terencemc

Is there alot of focus estate's though?...I've been looking for a while for one for about 2k that has it's t-belt changed...

Anan1

terencemc wrote: »

Is there alot of focus estate's though?...I've been looking for a while for one for about 2k that has it's t-belt changed...

If you buy that one you'll have to assume in the absence of documentation that it hasn't. BTW, has that car any service history at all? I ask because it has that megamile UK import look about it.

terencemc

I dont think it has service history with it...What do you mean by megamile UK import?
The guy did mention he imported it from the uk now that i think of it

Henry Ford III

terencemc wrote: »

I dont think it has service history with it...What do you mean by megamile UK import?
The guy did mention he imported it from the uk now that i think of it

It's probably better with an engine swap done than not. Having said that without receipts or proof of any sort what's a claim of an engine replacement 10k ago really worth? Very little I'd think. The replacement lump could have even more miles covered.

I'd run a HPI check on it. Might be clocked or cloned.

p.s. "megamile uk import" means an imported car with a lot of leg on it.

mickdw

Anan1 wrote: »

I ask because it has that megamile UK import look about it.

So true. A guy with a foreign name selling a uk import with a swapped engine, no history and a timing belt changed by his mate!
Lots of possible issues. Why take the chance?

Del2005

If there's no documentation what's to say that the engine is even the correct one for the car? How can you be sure it's a 1.8

You'd need to get it for a very good price to buy

Plug

If its not common rail then the pumps on them 1.8's give trouble around 100,000 mile mark onwards. If it is common rail well then there better, but 90 hp dosen't seem to be a common rail I think.


Verdict: Get a Foucs with low mileage and if your getting a diesel and make sure its 03 onwards with common rail injection, much better!

mondeo

Sounds abit dodgy, sure he could say anything and you have no way of proven if he is telling porkies or not...

bazz26

Too many unknowns here. If I was selling a car that I had to replace an engine in recently, you can bet I would have some sort of invoice for the work to show a potential buyer.

terencemc

Yeah it sounds abit too dodgy...
Just came across this one, does anyone know what road links are?

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1637652

rebel.ranter

terencemc wrote: »

... does anyone know what road links are?...

I don't think they exist & my guess is the guy means tie rod ends. The tie rod ends are the connection between the steering rack & the carrier that holds the wheel on. The reason that the tie rod ends would need to be replaced include:
1. The balljoint is worn causing a bit of play in the steering
2. The rod part of the tie rod has been bent due to damage, e.g. hitting a kerb. If it is bent it may have prevented getting the tracking/wheel alignment correct.

Maintenance items IMO. The weld required on the exhaust may not actually fix the problem, it might need a new exhaust section instead? Just one to watch.

terencemc

Expensive ?