What to avoid

ST220s were well-used by several British police forces, and many cars are still kicking around the secondhand market. Some were white, but other colours ( especially silver) were available – so watch out for damaged and scratched bodywork and interior, potentially having filler in the roof. A calibrated speedo is a telltale sign, usually featuring an IRS logo.

High mileage isn’t necessarily an ST220 killer ( any Mk3 Mondeo should manage 150,000 miles without dropping to bits) but beware of symptomatic mechanical issues. Biggest of all is engine failure, so listen for nasty knocking noises and look out for signs of blue or white smoke from the exhausts. Walk – no, run – away from any ST220 engine that doesn’t sound smooth. Yes, ticking sounds may be caused by ( relatively minor) camshaft bearing caps or belt tensioners, and poor idling could be caused by dodgy plugs or coil pack… But why take the risk?

Incidentally, don’t be too scared of oil leaks if they’re around the front exhaust manifold – it’s most likely dripped from the filler when topping up.

Clutch and flywheel problems are nowhere near as prevalent as with diesel-powered Mondeos, although you have to expect the parts to wear out. Check for clutch slip on the test drive, and ensure all gears engage without baulking. Any vibration through the pedal is a warning of flywheel failure – like its derv counterparts, the ST220’s is a dual-mass flywheel, and expensive to replace.

Rust could be an issue, and is very common on pre-2005 Mondeos. Begin by inspecting the door bottoms (they’re poorly flanged and trap moisture), followed by the rear wheelarches, bonnet edges, inner wings, tailgate, beneath the fuel cap, around the windscreen and back lights.

Finally, don’t forget that, while all ST220s cost a fair few quid to run ( don’t be surprised to average mpg figures in the low twenties if you’re a keen driver), cars registered after March 2006 are in a higher road tax bracket, emptying your pockets of substantially more cash every year.