Are modern diesel cars really so prone to faults?

As a regular reader of your column in ‘Motoring’ in the Telegraph I am concerned about your comments, on a regular basis, about ownership of diesel-powered vehicles. I own a 2009 Mark 6 VW Golf with the...

Should I buy a diesel car or go for a petrol model?

I'm considering buying a secondhand older model Ford Focus Diesel, up to say 18 months old. Two friends have cautioned me about the diesel engine and/or the turbo, some parts which cost a lot to replace...

Is the Qashqai 1.6DCI suitable for 12,000 miles a year, and if not can you recommend a petrol alternative?

One of the cars you have suggested is the Qashqai 1.6DCI, which I understand has a good diesel engine. However, as I stated in my query, I only do 12,000 miles a year and I have read (only yesterday in...

Is my Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion diesel likely to suffer DPF problems, and what could I replace it with?

11 months ago I bought a new Volkswagen Golf Bluemotion diesel, which I am delighted with. However I am so worried about your comments about the risk of expensive failure of low emission diesels that I...

Does my Nissan X-Trail have a DPF and dual mass flywheel, and is it likely to give problems?

I have an 2005 2.2 DCI Nissan X-Trail, 50,000 miles. Does it have the potentially ruinous components of a diesel particulate filter and a dual mass flywheel? Having read your column I am thinking of selling...

Should I buy a petrol or diesel Grand C-Max for short commutes with longer weekend drives?

I'm interested in purchasing either a brand-new 1.6 petrol Ecoboost Grand C-Max or a nearly new 1.6 diesel Grand C-Max. Both are the same price at £16,500. I can't decide which one to go for. I know that...

Is the 1.6-litre Ford Focus turbo petrol a solution to the DPF and DMF problems of diesel cars?

Your warnings on the failure costs of turbos, DMFs and DPFs mean that the very features that reduce fuel usage and emissions raise the risks of high repair costs. I note the Fiesta Econetic does not have...

Should I expect DPF, DMF and cam belt problems with my new Ford Kuga TDCi?

I am soon to take delivery of a Ford Kuga 2.0 TDCi 163 Titanium. Should I be concerned about the 'dual mass flywheel', DPF, and belt cam? I am not too worried about the DPF due to the type of trips it...

Does the new KIA Rio CRDi achieve Euro 5 emissions without a DPF?

I read that the new KIA Rio 1.1 CRDi ecodynamics (85 g/km CO2) does not have a DPF, despite achieving Euro 5 emissions. If that is true then it can only prove more popular for short journey motorists who...

Should I buy my old company Mondeo to use as a commuter?

I've lost the use of a company car, have never bought a used car before and I was thinking of spending £1000 - £2000 on a car to get me 10 miles each way to work and other very short trips. My biggest...