[RDS1972]

Evening guys
Love the look of the forum, I hope to be here for a while having just acquired a very very cheap little car.

I found a 51 plate, black lux model on Fleabay up for £395.
I went and looked it over today and committed the cardinal sin of buying the first I looked at. Tning is, I drove one years ago and remembered how they steer so sweetly, and also the many crusty ones parked up and in regular use.

This one seemed sound enough, with blistering to the back arches but not perforated, and some minor scabs to the boot panel.
The engine was sweet as a nut, and the gear shift a revelation after my E36.
The brakes were pretty feeble, but I think that may be standard (No offence) from what I've read and remembered.

The front near side wheel bearing seems a little "rumbly" so I'm guessing that'll need doing before too long, and there's an odd rattle from the rear, as it there's a small stone lodged somewhere (Not sure I'm that lucky!)

BUT, the windows, aircon and heater all work so that's good.

Basically, well pleased and looking forward to getting to grips with it.

[RDS1972]

Now distinctly cleaner, will polish it tomorrow all being well.

[Y0ungn1ck]

Hi and welcome.

[happy-kat]

Hi
The rear noise rattle could be the bushes, check out the MOT history it is all on line now.

[RDS1972]

Looks like it has loads done to pass the MOT last time, or it had a snide one
Only a few hundred miles since the last MOT in July, so it's either been sitting in the back of a car lot, or it's wonky.
Drives pretty well, and ABS cycles as it should (one of the pre July failures for this car as noted on the MOT check thing, thanks for that tip!)
Fingers crossed I've not bought a lemon (at least it's all Fiesta prices I guess)......

[RDS1972]

Check the MOT history of a vehicle
Registration number: NU51FHC

• Vehicle make FORD
• Vehicle model PUMA
• Date first used 5 September 2001
• Fuel type Petrol
• Colour Black

MOT history of this vehicle

• Test date 24 July 2015
• Expiry date 23 July 2016
• Test Result Pass
• Odometer reading 101,606 miles
• MOT test number 5261 1590 5288
• Advisory notice item(s)
  Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)Offside Rear Brake linkage corroded but not seriously weakened (3.5.1e)

• Test date 21 July 2015
• Test Result Fail
• Odometer reading 101,605 miles
• MOT test number 8975 1230 5239
• Reason(s) for failure
  Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)Offside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)Offside Front Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)Offside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)Nearside Rear Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush (2.4.G.2)
• Advisory notice item(s)
  Offside Rear Axle beam has slight vertical movement between stub axle and axle beam (2.5.A.1a)Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)Offside Rear Brake linkage corroded but not seriously weakened (3.5.1e)

• Test date 25 June 2012
• Expiry date 1 July 2013
• Test Result Pass
• Odometer reading 95,634 miles
• MOT test number 9898 8757 2166
• Advisory notice item(s)
  Offside Front Lower Suspension arm has slight play in a ball joint (2.4.G.2)

• Test date 2 July 2011
• Expiry date 1 July 2012
• Test Result Pass
• Odometer reading 87,484 miles
• MOT test number 6493 9378 1192
• Advisory notice item(s)
  Nearside Rear Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

• Test date 18 June 2010
• Expiry date 17 June 2011
• Test Result Pass
• Odometer reading 79,704 miles
• MOT test number 8716 7936 0177

• Test date 19 August 2009
• Expiry date 18 August 2010
• Test Result Pass
• Odometer reading 73,388 miles
• MOT test number 3639 7133 9255
• Advisory notice item(s)
  Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)Nearside Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)n/s/f tyre on limit

• Test date 6 August 2009
• Test Result Fail
• Odometer reading 73,383 miles
• MOT test number 6116 3891 9220
• Reason(s) for failure
  Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)Offside Front Power steering pipe(s) or hose(s) leaking from a joint (2.3.3b)Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)
• Advisory notice item(s)
  Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)Nearside Body has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)n/s/f tyre on limitpower steering fluid low

• Test date 18 August 2008
• Test Result Fail
• Odometer reading 64,638 miles
• MOT test number 6305 5113 8255
• Reason(s) for failure
  Offside Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.5c)

• Test date 18 August 2008
• Expiry date 17 August 2009
• Test Result Pass
• Odometer reading 64,638 miles
• MOT test number 2332 1183 8201

• Test date 13 August 2007
• Expiry date 12 August 2008
• Test Result Pass
• Odometer reading 60,594 miles
• MOT test number 3200 1542 7255

• Test date 9 August 2007
• Test Result Fail
• Odometer reading 60,594 miles
• MOT test number 1848 4102 7230
• Reason(s) for failure
  Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)Offside Front Front wheel bearing rough when rotated (2.5.A.2)Offside Rear Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

• Test date 10 August 2006
• Expiry date 9 August 2007
• Test Result Pass
• Odometer reading 52,150 miles
• MOT test number 6715 3222 6200

• Test date 10 August 2006
• Test Result Fail
• Odometer reading 52,150 miles
• MOT test number 1226 3272 6203
• Reason(s) for failure
  Front Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (8.2.2)Front Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

[happy-kat]

I'd be making sure all the brake pipes are good. They came up a lot. Bushes and dampers are wear items anyway.

[RDS1972]

Cheers Happy-Kat, will do.
It's all legal now, so at least I can take it out tomorrow.

[RDS1972]

Cleaned today, hopefully machine polish tomorrow (Please stay dry tomorrow)

[happy-kat]

Bargain, that looks pretty good.

[Y0ungn1ck]

Looking good.

[RDS1972]

My friend who thankfully likes older cars and happens to do MOTs reckons it needs two small patches on the floor when some numpty has jacked it up incorrectly, and some tyres for the MOT come July. The bushes and drop links are all within MOTable states.
So for around £150, it should have a new ticket, or £250 if I want new T1R's. (or similar, but they were a great road tyre on an old E30 I ran to the 'Ring some years back) Happy days.
My front tints were illegal, so even though they would nt be covered on an MOT, they've been sorted as I could do with buying a £300 car and then paying £100 fine!

[happy-kat]

Hadn't spotted the fronts were tinted, but as you say it is better to sort then face fine or worse.
We keep putting Pilot Exaltos on our hyundai coupe nice drive and feel though a summer bias tyre so we have a winter set if it gets very cold snowy.

[RDS1972]

Might look them up, thanks for the tip.

[RDS1972]

Update time.
The cheapest car I've ever bought keeps doing it's job of getting me too and from work at a variety of speeds, with good mileage (35mpg at mostly town/country lane speeds) whilst grinning more often than not. It needed some tyres, and whilst deciding if I would keep the car, bought some off eBay for £25. (Yokohama & BCT pairs) . I've since found out I'll be keeping the car, so the fun will begin with sorting it for the MOT, namely some bushes etc and some welding to the sills.
I'm keeping my eye out for either a new steering wheel (dished) or some reclining seats- I'm 6'4", so any extra room would be well received! I also hanker for some better wheels (I like the 16" Mondeo wheels) and a head unit that has a working display.
The cam belt and brakes will be done also (Upgrading the latter) I can't believe they can be had for so little money, even a Fiesta would be more !
It even polishes up ok!