Only a few people on here are 'pros' but we'll do our best to help.

At this price condition is more important than make or model. Decide on the size of car you want and then you can make a shortlist of models. You certainly don't need a diesel, and you are right to be worried because old diesel engines can be very expensive to repair when they go wrong.

The advantage of the Mondeo is that there are lots of them to choose from. Notrhing soldiers on quite as well as an old Toyota or an old Volvo, so look at the Toyota Avensis and Volvo S60, or the Toyota Verso if a people-carrier would suit you. There should be some Vauxhall Zafiras around at this price too. The Nissan Primera and petrol Mazda 6 or 626 also last well.

Any cheap used car is a gamble, but try to find something that has been serviced and seems to have been looked after. Maybe find a friend who knows about cars and could help you look at possibilities.

Edited by Avant on 27/10/2012 at 11:56

How about a Focus estate? Slightly narrower than a Mondeo so easier to get in and out of in tight carpark spaces but still comodious. The big boot-with a flat sill-makes it much better than the Mondeo saloon in the role of s*** shifter!

My parents had a 1.6 zetec version for a while. It turned in 40 combined-bang on the official mileage. The engine was slightly doleful when mated to quite a big car via a tall ratio gearbox but perfectly adequate. A few niggly electrical faults as it aged, but generally decent, if bland.

Personally, I'd be looking for a good Mondeo Mk2. The newest of these would now be 11 years old, but there are some very nice low mileage examples around. Petrol model, of course, with a full service history. They just have a cambelt that needs changing after 10 years of 100,000 miles, whichever is reached first. Make sure the clutch is OK.

A 2.0L Zetec is probably the model to go for. Buy a manual, don't buy an automatic because the autobox isn't much good.

Advantages over the Mk3 is that there's no dual-mass flywheel to have to worry about, and no intake flap problem, which can cause the flaps to break off and get sucked into the engine, wrecking it.

I know that I'm biased because I own one. Mine's done 196,000 miles in 12 years. They just go on for ever!

Edited by Galaxy on 27/10/2012 at 20:11