Maybe it has contributed, I don't know.

What I do know is that 6,000miles per year for a diesel engine is not what it was designed for and will likely lead to problems.

You need the petrol engine.

Thanks for the reply. As to underuse, the car is just over three years old. But would this really cause a leak from injector seal as seems to be the problem?

As you're just out of warranty time-wise, but with low mileage, I think it's well worth going to Ford UK's customer services directly with your case (don't go via the dealer) PROVIDING you've got a full Ford service history at the specified time intervals.

If you don't have the Ford FSH, you'd be wasting time.

If you do, emphasise that:

- diesel injectors are not a service item (unlike, say, spark plugs which are replaced at intervals) so the seal should not need attention and should not leak (if this is the diagnosed fault)

- the car has low mileage and is only 4 months out of warranty

- you believe that this component, which should reasonably last the life of the car, should not have failed at such an early stage, inconveniencing you

- based on the above you expect Ford to contribute to the cost of repair

Using this type of argument, I got my in-laws a free main wiring loom on their Focus after 3.5 years of ownership from new, when the car was being plagued by random electrical problems and a loom problem was diagnosed.

Be firm but polite, stick to your guns, and deal direct with Ford UK yourself, NOT via the dealer.