Just a quick follow up, got the car home, wash and hover out showed nothing untoward.
Confirmed the engine noises were no more than the alternator.
My mate did me a full service and mot, that was 2 track rod ends and the front anti rollbar bushes, reline the rear drums oil and filter. Not bad at all for 142000 miles.
So all in with taxing it squared away ready to run, fully checked over and serviced by a mechanic I trust (not many of those) , 620 quid. And that's including the 300quid to buy it in the first place. currently with the wife settling in to it (her driving style is not efficient) its doing 60mpg, AVERAGE. I can see 70+, possibly more on a proper run. From basically an old nail. Comfy too.
I'm calling that a result.
Its weird to drive though, its a really small car, actually smaller than a clio but has so much space inside you allow yourself too much room on the road. Its really quite odd.