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Hi Siobhan,

There's nothing wrong with buying a UK import but you do need to keep your wits about you. Make sure you get a proper history check from Cartell.ie to make sure that it's not being sold with outstanding finance owing, or that it was written off or that it has been clocked. Then make sure that it has a full and complete service history. Then make sure that the dealer has re-registered the car and paid the Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT). There are strict time limits on doing so, so it's their responsibility and don't be fobbed off with any excuses on that score. Is it worth getting a mechanical inspection? Yes, definitely but maybe try the AA rather than just a mechanic friend.

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Hi David,

Do you mean in terms of fuel consumption? Then I'd say about 35- to 40mpg depending on your driving style. If you mean total miles, well it depends how you look after it and how it's been looked after. Cars are generally 'lifed' for between 250,000 miles (400,000km) and 300,000 miles. If you service it and care for it properly, you could potentially get even more...

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Hi Mossy,

All good choices, three cars that it's very difficult to separate. I guess the best thing to do is to use the classic car-buying technique - go for the one in the best condition and with the fullest history file - the more receipts, the more paperwork, the more stamps in the service book the better. Forget the mileage, always buy on condition and history.

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Hi Michael,

It does indeed. Ford recommends ever 10 years or 125,000 miles (201,000km roughly) - whichever comes first. We'd always recommend having it done sooner.

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Hi Audrey,

It should take about 4.1 litres, but as always, don't just put it all in. If the engine has been drained, then add two litres, let it settle, add another, check it on the dipstick and top up accordingly. Don't overfill.

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Hi James,

I'd say between €8,000 and €10,000 depending on the condition and history. Lower end if it's a trade in, a little higher if the service history is immaculate.

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Hi Martin,

There's little else worse than getting unexpectedly bad car repair news, and we all know how it feels. Now, as you point out, you have, essentially, two options here. One is to trade in the car without the work done and get something new. Now, that's a very tempting option and one that would at least put you back under a warranty and give you reasonably predictable monthly repayments etc, all of which is good news.

The thing is though that your Mondeo is only six years old and to my mind there should be an awful lot more left in it. I would be tempted, especially as you've also just upgraded your wife's car, to take the €3k on the chin and keep yours going for a while yet. You're at a point in its life where the value isn't going to sink all that much more anyway, so keeping it an extra year or 18 months isn't going to have an enormous impact - with the age and mileage already on it, it's going to be at the lower end of the value scale anyway.

One thing worth considering: rust doesn't happen overnight. If, as you say, this car has always been serviced to schedule with the same dealer, ask them why the problem wasn't flagged up sooner. You may be able to use that as a bit of a stick to beat the price down a touch.

Let us know how you get on

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Hi Carol,

There's a specific issue with the 2.0-litre diesel whereby it can cut out unexpectedly - it's a problem with the engine management system but it's a pretty easy fix. You will need to take it to a Ford main dealer if your car develops the problem. 

Other than that, they're pretty solid. Keyless ignition systems give a bit of bother but few Irish cars had that so it shouldn't be a major worry. The cabin trim can be a bit fragile too - listen for rattles and look for loose bits.

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Hi Dody,

It’s a belt and it needs changing every ten years or 200,000km, whichever comes sooner.

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Hi Pat,

You definitely need to change both belts. The recommended change interval is 125,000 miles (just over 200,000 kilometres) or every two years. If yours has never been done then we'd suggest you get it done as soon as possible.