Which reliable Ford should we buy as an all-purpose workhorse?

We would like to buy either a Ford Focus hatchback or estate or a 2008 Ford C-Max from British Car Auctions, where we have purchased several cars in the past. The car will serve as an all purpose workhorse managing everything from local shopping to driving to the French Alps for the ski season, so will probably do about 12,000 miles a year. We're basically looking for a car that would be reliable and not too expensive to service. I would appreciate your advice on which engine? I would prefer chain cam, but I'm not sure which are. I also favour diesel but am aware of particulate filter problems. And which model?

Asked on 23 June 2012 by BM, via email

Answered by Honest John

The only chain cam engines in the Focus and C-Max are the 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre petrols. The dodgy transmission was the CVT fitted to the 1.6 diesel because it was not up to the torque output of that engine. 4-speed torque converter autos and the current 6-speed Getrag Powershift dual clutch transmissions are fine. If looking at an MPV, also consider the Toyota Verso 1.8i Valvematic Multidrive S. That's the nicest Verso to drive and fairly economical too.

Tags: running costs mpvs dpf diesels reliability chain cam

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