First check if your thermo fans are starting and running.
One good way to identify a fan problem is the car will not overheat while driving (air is rushing into the radiator) but will when stopped and needs to rely on the fans for cooling. It may just be the thermo switch and not the fans themselves.
When its parked and running open the bonnet and check to see if the fans are running when its overheating.
One thing i overlooked, if i does not have electric thermo fans but has a viscous clutch fan, there is a very high possibility that its worn and the fan is not locking and running at full speed for cooling. Fords are known for that one.
The other one is of course your thermostat but it will play up at both driving and stationary times.
Another one is a dirty and blocked radiator, you may need to remove it and reverse flush it.
Another is a leaking radiator cap seal not holding pressure which allows a pressure drop inside which builds more heat. The water will escape to the overflow bottle when hot and go back (contact) into the radiator when cold.
And last is your water pump and belt. If the belt is really loose or the blades inside your water pump buggered, it will struggle to circulate the water, causing it to overheat.
Oh and check that your radiator is clean from rubbish around the fins, ive seen some cars packed with rubbish that obstructs the air flow. I generally just get a hose and gently (dont damage the fins) blast the crap out from back (inside the engine bay) to front. The idea is to push it out the reverse of how it got in. You may also need to loosen the radiator and check between it and the aircon cooler for rubbish too.
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