Seem to be throwing a lot of money at a car that doesnt seem to be worth it mate, from what ive read your mum didnt give a shit about it and now your paying the price for it, just because a car is reliable doesnt mean you can neglect its service and upkeep, as in the future problems will and have occured and you play the game of replacing 10 parts at say £100 to fix 1 part that would have cost £10 each time, i know when i bought my focus it had been p/x'd in because of the notchy steering, i could see it had had fresh fluid, it had a new pump, the rack was knackered, appeared the previous owner had exhausted all cheaper options, but the biggy being the rack, they obviously thought was a big and expensive job hence p/x ing it, clean straight car otherwise !

Id say buckled wheel too, try putting the front wheels on the back and vice versa, or the bush as said on the driveshaft, or lift the front end up SECURELY on stands, start it up and put it in gear and watch the wheels turning, watch for any wobbles, thats how i found out one of my alloys was bent..