Just take a general look at the car to see if its scruffy ie dents here and there dirty looking seats dull body work worn tyres, buying a car will always be a minefield, but when they use them for taxies you know they are up to speed, I had mine from new, as I said a 1.8 duratec and yes I have looked after it. the only problems I have had in the last 12 months are the coil springs breaking, yes a bit of a disappointment but I,ve heard of car's not just ford, cars that have only done 30000 to40000 springs breaking, but on the whole the mondeo is good, I would think that the springs have already been replaced on this one you are buying if they've had the same problem, may be worth asking, in saying that I had one replaced not so long ago and it only cost me £140 that included spring and a new strut, the strut at my request, because if you only have the spring replaced you find in a few weeks the strut starts leaking oil, the £140 included the parts labour and VAT. MY CASE RESTS , GOOD LUCK, Trevor