Hello there...I'm a new user and have joined just to get a bit of advice. I've got literally no budget for a car and a friend pointed out that her cousin is selling an old V Reg Ford Focus for £350 which I could scrape up. As a single parent I really can't afford to lay that out as well as tax etc and have it go wrong on me...the car is MOT until December. I really need a car of some sort for September when I have to do the school run again (too far to walk and no public transport)

Would it be silly to buy such a thing? Shall I just wait until I have saved more? The car has had 2 owners and they've been bought a new one by their Gran so are getting rid.

They say it's been fine for them...but they would wouldn't they! I know you can't advise without seeing it but what do you think? It's old obviously....be kind to me as I know nothing about cars at all! Thanks in advance!

 

Check all the history, for that price it's worth it. They're pretty good cars tbh

 

the focus would be a fairly decent car, cheap for parts and plenty of them around in scrap yards if you need to go for second hand stuff. i'd personally forget the history other then checking for a timing belt change, just go and have a good look around it and judge it on condition, if your not clued up, take someone with you who is.

 

Many thanks for that....my brother will be coming with me but he's no hot shot either! I'll tell him about the timing belt thing...what's that and where does it live please?

 

It's at left side of engine under a cover. Best bet is checking the history to see if its been changed

 

Thanks so much for that info....it's just the sort of thing I knew I'd get here! I will pass this on.

 

Pm sent

 

All cars break down and go wrong, there is no such thing as a car that requires no regular maintenance and is 100% reliable.

Don't forget running costs, insurance, tax, MOT, etc etc, £350 won't go very far!