Diesel Particulate Filters

Despite reading your column each week I am stiil confused and getting conflicting advice.

Should I buy petrol or diesel engine? I drive 9000 miles a year, most of which is on A-roads with a 60 mph limit. The shortest journey I make is six miles.None of my commute is stop/start.

Peugeot say a diesel is not suitable due to DPF maintenance and changing every 6 months. Mercedes-Benz say a diesel would be OK.

The costs I have worked out show that a diesel engine will be less expensive over 3 years providing no DPF problems.

I run a Jaguar X-Type 2.0 diesel which owned for 3 years without problems, presumably it doesn't have a DPF?

Finally any other Crossover types I should consider?

Asked on 14 March 2011 by bowlsmadalan

Answered by Honest John
The type of use you describe should be enough to avoid short term problems. And most of the diesel horror stories occur after 3 years, which is why fleets still specify them, leaving the poor old private buyer (and the trade) with the post 3 year problems. No, your Jag and the Mondeo III on which it is based did not have DPFs.
Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
    Select a few terms below
Similar questions
I'm looking to purchase new vehicle and was curious about the new Honda Civic 1.6 diesel - in the Honda dealership I was told that even though I only do a majority of short journeys and a maximum of 10,000...
How often or how long a drive is necessary to regenerate a TDI 2.0 170 bhp Q5? I would mainly use for city runs ...6-10k annually. How long should the engine be running at or more than 2000 rpm?
I have happily owned a C3 1.4 Diesel for several years and am thinking of buying a new 1.5 Nissan Juke. I do 6,000 miles per annum made up of weekly short journeys plus one 25 mile motorway jorney and...
Related models
Compact Jaguar, launched as V6 only with four wheel drive. Held price well at first.
Spacious and practical interior, excellent diesel engines, clever split tailgate and boot.