The car has pulled to the left since I got it over a year ago but has
recently got worse,
if I let go of the wheel while positioned to drive straight it sharply veers
to the left.
Never got round to investigating as too busy keeping up with the overheating
and the car killing thermostats

I have had the tracking done with no change, the tyres are all good and same
size etc.

I did notice that when it was MOTed in 2006 an advisory was issued which
states

"Nearside Front suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in
excessive movement (2.4.G.3)
Offside Front suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in
excessive movement (2.4.G.3)"

to my knowledge this was never repaired.
would that cause the sharp left pull or should I check the balljoints first.

If it is the bushes is it expensive to have them replaced at a garage?

Even new tires can be defective!


Have the front tires swapped (meaning exchange their positions) and
see if the car pulls the opposite direction after the switch.

A defective (bad) tire will make the car pull, sometimes severely.
Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to see a bad tire.

Running your hand along the tire in the reverse direction of its
rotation may allow you to feel a lump. Not always.

It's a free test before you go throwing a bunch of money at the front
end of the car.