Second hand car decision - help please!

mortbird

My 1998 fiat brava died (head gasket blew) and had to be scrapped
I am now trying to get another car for around £3k max. My hubbie has a company car so its a run aorund for me and the kids which will have do a few motorway journeys. I have found two but can't decide between them:

Ford Mondeo - 03 reg, 66000 miles, big boot which is good, big car so hard to park, higher tax (£200) and insurance (£233), may cost more to run (3p a mile more at worse case). Had five services in its lifetime but not been serviced since 2007. Sale price £2995

Ford Focus - 03 reg, 64000 miles, small boot which is bad, small car so easier to park, lower tax (£170) and insurance (£193), may be cheaper to run. Had a service every year. Sale price £3593

Any thoughts/advice greatly appreciated!
Thanks

jd82

Avoid any car which has not had a service for three years it will probably cause no end of problems. Lack of servicing is not just about oil changes but can even cause problems like premature head gasket failure etc.

LandyAndy

Of those two, the Focus if you can live with the boot space. Is it much smaller than your Fiat?

The lack of service on the Mondeo would put me right off. They are common cars. There will be plenty with good service history.

Hammyman

mortbird wrote: »

Ford Mondeo - 03 reg, 66000 miles, big boot which is good, big car so hard to park, higher tax (£200) and insurance (£233), may cost more to run (3p a mile more at worse case). Had five services in its lifetime but not been serviced since 2007. Sale price £2995

Too dear by about £1000. For £3k you can get a 04 plate TDCi which will do >50MPG and is low band tax.
5 services would cover up to 75,000 miles (12.5k interval on mine) so its covered mileage wise, just not time. Personally, I don't think I'd be massively worried although if its petrol, make sure its had a cambelt change or budget for one.

Take it out for a test drive. Make sure there is a passenger in the back and listen out for knocks on the rear. Rear subframe bushes are a common problem but you can only really hear them when they're starting to go with someone in the back, hence the rear seat passenger. Ford want £300 for fixing it but its possible to do it for £200 with polybushes that'll outlive the car - certainly a bargaining tool.