mondeo estate

have FINALLY decided on the mondeo estate for a dependable,
affordable and spacious family car. I'm looking for a model with low to
medium mileage (circa 50K), looking for an 04 or 05 model,
my questions are:
Is there anything to look out for with the mondeo estate?

Is best to stick to a garage sale or with a 04 or 05 model car would
a private sale and a simple check with carcheck.ie or similar be fine?

thanks in advance

www.honestjohn.co.uk will give a very comprehensive review.

I'd go for a diesel TDCI Zetec model.

My brother has one as a company car.

It is the lx diesel. Grand car but dead.

Go for the TDCI engine and you should be good.

Echo that re the TDCi. In an earlier post, I also told about some steering problems. It looks like it's going to need a a new steering rack! Big bucks. I don't know if its just this car, or if its a Ford problem, but if you're looking for problems, have the steering checked out thoroughly (also check the colour of the steering fluid - it should be 'clearish', and NOT dark). Get as high spec a model as you can find (ideally Ghia) for the extra toys. They're great to have and you won't get another chance to get them until you next change cars! You can get a lot of car for the money.