what should I look for in an old ford galaxy?

troll35

I'm looking to buy a cheap 7 seater car. I won't be doing high mileage, just school runs, shops etc. I've seen a 2001 Galaxy advertised locally at a good price. It is a 1.9TD automatic with 132K on the clock, full service history etc.
When I go to see it what should I be looking out for and what questions should I be asking?

forgotmyname

Ex taxi, Non caring family owned, Receipts for the full service history. A book of stamps bought odd ebay
or only had an oil change and stamped in the book.

Receipts for anything expensive. No receipts for parts recently changed assume they might fail sooner rather
than later and you wont go far wrong.

s_b

if its in the auction look for change under the back seats
sometimes theres enough for a breakfast:rotfl:

troll35

thanks, maybe I wasn't as clear as I could have been in my original question. I meant what mechanical things should I be looking for? are there any parts that (other than the obvious) that should have been replaced (cambelt?)? are there any common faults to be aware of? The car I'm considering has had 1 owner from new.

vax2002

They are basically a VW with a different badge, main faults are blocked EGR valves, watch for lots of black smoke.
Clutches can be a pain, make sure it is not stiff and it does not creak when pressed (the clutch that is)
Gears should all be smooth and reverse should engage easily at all times when stopped , if it does not and crunches or grinds, walk.
To be honest anything else and the on-board diagnostics light up like a Christmas tree.