Car expert urges drivers to snap up ‘everyman’ motor for as little as £1,200… it’s a great ‘cheap runaround’

A USED car dealer has urged drivers to consider a motor that’s a great “cheap runaround” that he managed to pick up for just £1,200.

Matt Goodwin from High Peak Autos picked up a very popular set of wheels for a bargain price – and talked it up as a great for the commuters or those looking for a low-priced family car.

Matt, who runs a dealership in Stockport, Greater Manchester, picked up a Ford Focus 1.6TDCi Zetec from 2011 that mixes low running costs with practicality for family drivers.

This is the third-generation Focus model, built by Ford between 2010 and 2018, and was a best-seller in the UK.

From new, these were priced between £13,865 and £39,095, although today used car buyers can get into an older third-generation Focus from around £1,500 to £3,000.

In the to YouTube, he said: “It’s kind of an everyman’s car, for somebody that wants a cheap runaround, commuter car or family vehicle, this would be ideal.

“The 1.6-litre turbo-diesel is generally quite reliable and very frugal.

“It’ll average about 50mpg, the road tax is in a cheap bracket, so it does have a lot going for it.”

Matt reveals that, prior to picking it up, it was described to him as being “very tidy” with just “a few dents on the bodywork.”

He added: “I’m hoping that these will pop out using a paintless dent remover, as that would save me having to properly paint a full panel.

“If, however, the damage is too bad, I’ll have to paint them, which will blow my budget right out the water.”

As it turns out, the damage isn’t too bad and, upon picking up the humble motor, Matt is pleased to learn it comes with two sets of keys.

He added: “It’s quite tidy really.

“The roof looks good and hasn’t been dented.

“I’ll need a new Ford badge and I might replace the number plates, they would lift it quite a bit.

“We’ve got GT Radial tyres on loads of tread, about 5mm, which is good.

“The worst damage is the dent on this wing, but I think we’ll be able to pop that out.”

Matt also reveals to drivers the kind of part that can go wrong on a second-hand Focus, including the clutch.

He said: “The clutch feels alright so far, and whilst the engine is a rough diesel, it’s still idling alright.

“We’ve got no warning lights on, only ‘low fuel’, and it pulls alright.

“We’re just basically checking to see that the turbocharger engages correctly, the gearbox works, the clutch doesn’t drop to the floor, the brakes, suspension, all that sort of stuff.

“So far, though, so good.”

Matt previously revealed how he managed to pick up a Peugeot 107 with peeling paint and rubbish left inside for just £500 – and then triple his money.

All it took was a day in the garage and a few small tweaks to turn the run-down banger into a motor worth thousands.

And elsewhere, a motor dubbed “the people’s supercar” by car expert James Russell is now the bargain of the decade.