Having just sold my humongous Mondeo Estate I have upped sticks from the Mondeo forum as I'm looking to downsize to a Punto.

I'm about to view a 04 plate 16v Dynamic, 5dr, 30k. Its being sold by a mechanic on behalf of a friend/client, so obviously I'm a little suspicious seeing as he could easily cover up a major fault.

What obvious faults should I look for? Have been advised the 18mth old exhaust has a small blow on the centre section, other than that no issues. Is there any likelihood of rust on the Punto? Its likely that its spent the last few years living on the coast.

Also, is there an easy way to identify if it has ABS without smacking the sellers forehead on the windscreen, and also how to identify its a 16v? The seller is claiming both...I'm a little suprised about the ABS as according to Parkers, the spec was updated during 04 to add a passenger airbag at the expense of ABS, so either Parkers is wrong or one was ordered as an extra.

I've done a quick search on the forum and couldn't find a buyers guide, if this has already been done to death please point me in the right direction

Finally, I'm assuming you can get a couple of mountain bikes in with the seats folded and wheels off?

I just went to do a car data check on the vehicle, and after entering the reg the car type came up as Punto 8v Active. Is there an easy way to identify between the Active and Dynamic from photos of the outside? i.e. chrome trim, body colour mirrors etc?

hi
im sure the 16v dynamic is an automatic dont quote me on this but i am pretty sure it is

Nah the Speedgear is the auto, which can be had with the 16v engine. 16v is normally manual.