OK - so cheap 2001 3door bought. Smelly inside and bit neglected but 11 months MOT and tax.
Drove home 80 odd miles fine, no locking back wheels when reversing, no overheating etc etc.

BUT horrible knocking noises from front end over rough ground.

I've bad feeling IRD, (there's quite a lot of noise from the thing turning the prop by hand, clicking noise now in U/J on back driveshaft on lock in reverse) is on the way home. But it's not noisy on-road.
Anti-roll bar rubbers? Drive shafts?

Discovered front under tray was rattling against exhaust (taken off for oil and filter change) as was front heat shield (8mm bolt came undone, bigger washer). No water or oil leaks, and engine clean so I suspect head gasket done at least once (it's on 99k now)
Oil still black so heading for oil change 3.
Amazingly all windows working (better now after spray grease)
Even more surprisingly hill descent and air con still working too.
Clutch a bit crap though - hydraulics? Reverse graunch unless you're careful, but then my MGF wants to do that too.

General Grabber replaced knackerd Nexens - look and grip well and bit more ground clearance too. Better off road than old Sportrak - four wheel drive works well and suspension travel better.

knocking is probably anti rollbar drop links, as for reverse slip into fifth and then into reverse.