It gives me an idea… From West Drayton I nip part-way around the M25 to West Byfleet, to meet dealer Russell Baker of Baker Brothers. In fact, in the past week alone we’ve seen four with well over that figure.” One of his favourites is the Toyota Land Cruiser. He should know about those since he’s Cap HPI’s valuations expert on SUVs. Even, he says, old Land Rover Discoverys. Not only those but Mercedes, Volvos and most Japanese and Korean cars also. He says most Fords take high mileage exceptionally well. As we coo over its condition, he says he’s putting up its price – from £1250 to £2495: “The boss was giving it away.”īulmer isn’t surprised by the Mondeo’s condition. Kashif ‘Sam’ Sheikh, the dealership’s general manager, rushes over for my verdict. Back at Trade Price Motors, I check the dual zone climate control, tyre pressure monitoring system and parking sensors. The steering wheel is dead straight, the brakes pull up powerfully and the engine temperature is good. My old 2007 Mondeo 2.0 diesel auto was much gutsier. The transmission responds without fuss, although the petrol engine feels lethargic, as I’d expect with just 159bhp to give. The traffic clears, so I knock the gearshift into Sport and try a few downchanges. Out on the road, it picks up speed smoothly. It’s disappointing to see there are only nine stamps in the book (all Ford main dealer), but because service histories can get a little hazy at spaceship mileages, I’m willing to believe it’s an incomplete record. The battery terminals have fresh grease on them. During a rare break in the passing traffic, I pop open the bonnet to listen more closely, expecting to hear the shuffle-shuffle of the auxiliary belt as, for the umpteenth time, it follows its tortuous path. The 2.3-litre engine settles to a quiet tickover. Being a Ghia X, the Mondeo has keyless ignition, so I press the start button.
![mondeo mk3 change clock mondeo mk3 change clock](https://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p123/alannightingale/transit/V6%20build/DSCF0105.jpg)
Only the part-wood and leather steering wheel looks faded and is beginning to peel.
![mondeo mk3 change clock mondeo mk3 change clock](https://shopcdn.textalk.se/shop/3143/art43/h5750/111465750-origpic-d13bac.jpg)
![mondeo mk3 change clock mondeo mk3 change clock](https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1I4t4n3DD8KJjy0Fdq6AjvXXaT/DASH-EL-Glow-Gauge-for-Mondeo-MK3-Metrostar-2002-2003-anolog-dimmer-Sound-Activated-Flame-design.jpg)
The ‘walnut’ trim gleams and the black leather seats look as fresh as the day they were fitted. Inside, its cabin looks as if it’s been lifted from a 3000-mile car rather than one that has done 100 times that.
#MONDEO MK3 CHANGE CLOCK FREE#
Its paint is original and its body is free of dents and scratches. Incredibly, its slotted alloy wheels, shod with matching, premium Goodyear rubber, are pristine. On the strength of TPM’s Mondeo space capsule, Bulmer may have a point.