2007 Focus Estate - 1.8TDCi

Pimp Ninja

I'm about to pick up a Focus Estate (1.8TDCi) from a main dealer, including a 6 month warranty.

It is high on the mileage side(98,000), but Im happy that it has met its service intervals. Im also happy with the history of the car (rep driving, but due to changes in their company never ended up carrying any goods).
- To me this says, motorway/main road driving with a single person in the car.

Internally it has been well looked after and condition appears very good.

Test drive went well, and both the wife and I were happy with it.

I have been advised that the timing belt/chain is a 'lifetime belt' and will not need to be done till near the 200,000 miles mark. Is this correct?

Visual inspection of the car appears good, but other than looking at panel alignment I dont really know what to look for.
Ive also never owned a diesel car before, so again not really sure what Im looking at when I open the bonnet.

I also am happy that the dealer is reputable.
What Im looking for, I suppose, is piece of mind that Im making the right decision, and any advise on any last things I should check before I hand over the cash.

Thanks in advance for any replys.

EPM

There are a lot of 08 Focus estates out there that belonged to security companies. All with high miles as they often were going 24/7. I did some security when I was in college and these were ragged daily. Just make sure it's not one of those.

Pimp Ninja

Thanks for the reply EPM.

I'm pretty sure it was a company car, in fact I've been told as much by the rep. The inside of the car is completely immaculate, I doubt that there has been anyone in the back seat (will probably be a different story after my 2YO gets her hands on it )

This is all just cosmetic stuff tho, I really have no clue what Im looking at / for.

Mileage wise there is 97000 on it.
Price its being offered at is €9000

Any other pearls of wisdon out there ?

Alfreado

As far as i know timing belts on those engines are due at 150k kilom. 200k sounds a bit of a stretch for a belt. Give a couple of ford garages a call and ask them.

swe_fi

Op, That diesel engine is great I have to say (from a drivers perspective, i'm no mechanic)

I could be wrong but would think that price is on the high side, but if you think it is worth it...As a comparison, 1.5 years ago we bought a 2007 1.6 (petrol) Zetec for €9000 with 31.000 miles on it, private sale. Maybe diesels are still worth that much?

bazz26

€9k is expensive to me for a 07 example.

Here is a 08 model with less mileage asking similar money:
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=201101200760599