Thanks for the advice.

Had the cambelt/tens./pulleys/pump done today. Picked it up and it already feels as if its driving better for some reason. Maybe my friend the mechanic thrashed it and cleaned the cat out or something!

Had some steering wheel shaking (and a light knocking sound coming from under the car over rough ground at low speed). Was the OS anti-roll bar drop link. That's been changed. No more shaking/knocking. Also, the seller had fitted brand new front arms (and only a new NS drop link rather than a pair!). Didn't mention it, but thanks!

Had the rear suspension checked out. Bushes were all done recently and in good nick. So no worries there for a while.

The mech. (one I trust) took the car for a test drive and said he could not feel the stuttering/hesitancy I had described at higher speeds. So unless it gets worse or I get warning lamps, I shouldn't worry about it.

I will be putting the motor in for a major ford service in about four to six months.

Hopefully it should be on the road for many thousands of miles to come!

HB.