Hi all. Im looking to buy a 2006 focus st-2 with 54k on the clock. It has some service history

Any advice on what to look for when i go to view it?
What are the common faults that will show?

Thanks

 

Look out for accident damage. Stonechipped front should be visible, if not may have been repainted. Scuffed alloys, If its standard, make sure its not been externally tweeked, which is a possible sign its been mapped and reset to standard. I always question why people do this, as makes it less saleable as you dont know how much boost the car has been using. Check the clutch by putting it in 4th and flooring it from low revs to check for slip. Tyres are expensive. Plastics inside can be fragile. Drivers seat can rock from side to side, but Ford did mod this. CV's can rumble on full lock. Sloppy handling can be wishbones on the front and or rear bushes. Its getting to that age like mine at 50 k miles.

 

Just make sure it has been maintained. It is a buyers market, they do not sell particularly quickly due to expensive running costs so I would want FSH with plenty of receipts.

 

On an 2006 I'd check to make sure the alternator has been changed (they were common to fail on the 2006 ones)

Check the oil diaphragm housing is ok - if there's a slight (or loud) whine on tickover which goes if you pull the dipstick out, then it needs replacing.

Tyres are £105ish for Goodyear Asymmetric 2 from Camskill (regarded as very well suited to the FST)

As Richie says - lots of receipts is never a bad thing. I've done 30,000 miles in mine and it's hardly missed a beat as I've looked after it

Or the driver doesn't drive up the arse of the car in front...

 

Thanks allot for the quick replies. I will look out for anything you have mentioned

Only asking because the car seems very cheap compared to others so im assuming it must have a problem