Could I buy a diesel Freelander 2 for short journeys?

I thought diesels were good for short runs. Is that not so? My daily commute is five miles each way. I ask because I am tempted by a Freelander 2. There’s one at a local reputable non-Land Rover dealer: 2008 2.2 TD4 GS auto, black A1 condition, 29,000 miles, private plate at £14,995. I could pay a bit more if petrol is better. I do about 8000 miles pa. I could look at a CR-V petrol auto 2009.

Asked on 4 May 2013 by AM, Colchester

Answered by Honest John
It was true before the advent of the Diesel Particulate Filter. That gathers up the unburned hydrocarbon smoke and soot on start up and burns it off later in the car's journey. If there is not enough 'later' and the car is repeatedly run short distances from cold starts, the DPF clogs up and various serious engine problems can then result.

Landrover Freelander IIs have three very serious problem areas: engine camshafts, automatic transmissions and power steering racks. See the entry in www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/. CR-V diesels did not have DPFs until 2010. A 2.2iCTDI does not have a DPF. A 2.2iDTEC does. Unfortunately, there are no 2.2iCTDI automatics, so that pushes you into petrol.
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