Diesel estate - what would you suggest? | Ask Honest John

Diesel estate - what would you suggest?

I need a reliable estate for commuting (about an hour each way - motorway and traffic) and weekend jaunts with bicycles etc. Budget is around £6k and I tend to keep my cars for a while.

I've narrowed the choice down to Volvo V50, BMW 3 series, Mazda 6, Honda Accord and the X-type (2.0d). I know the X-type has possible issues with the DMF but otherwise seems ok (and no DPF has to be good). The others all seem to suffer from quite major problems - injesting engine parts, clutches, gearbox etc. Would the Jag make a sensible choice?

Asked on 8 January 2013 by Chris Holmes

Answered by Honest John

Readers have had 40k - 200k out of the DMFs in Mondeo Mk III 2.0TDCIs, which are the same as X-Types underneath, and cheaper. But £6k will buy you a 2008 Mondeo Mk IV 2.0TDCI estate. A V50 is a Focus underneath. Okay, but not without problems. Honda can be good. BMW likely to be on its last leg at this sort of money. Mazda 6 prone to DPF problems.

Tags: estates diesels buying and selling advice

Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:

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