Cats 22

I have just had the unfortunate experience of being landed with an unexpected bill of £1,262 for a replacement catalytic converter at 72,000miles in my Ford Focus 1.6 diesel. On checking with some Ford...

I've just bought my first diesel - how should I keep it in good order?

I am changing my nice but very-expensive-to-run Saab 9-3 for a Panda Diesel. I've not owned or driven a diesel car before. I believe the Fiats are OK, but what should I look out for and do to keep it in...

What's the minimum annual mileage I should cover in my Land Rover Freelander 2 to avoid DPF problems?

I notice that you have mentioned the need for new diesel vehicles to do a yearly minimum mileage when fitted with a particulate filter. The other week you quoted "15,000 miles per year'". No one mentioned...

Will a MINI Countryman diesel be ok for 7000 miles a year?

I'm thinking of buying a MINI D4 Countryman (and spare winter wheels/tyres) as I live in the Scottish Highlands, but most journeys will be only 15-20 miles each way and 6-7000 miles a year. Will this keep...

Should my daughter buy a Kia Cerato or Citroen Picasso?

My daughter has just started teaching in Manchester, a daily return trip of 75 miles per day, 70 miles of which is motorway driving. We would like to replace her 1995 306 Peugeot XLD, which has just had...

Is my Citroen Picasso supposed to be so slow?

I've bought a Citroen Picasso 1.6HDI for taxi driving. I've been driving it for a week now and noticed that it seems to lack power when accelerating. I had it loaded with four passengers and luggage and...

Should I buy my company Ford Focus 1.6 and does it have a DPF?

I retire in October and I'm considering buying my company car, a 57-reg Ford Focus 1.6 TDCI 90ps which has done 45,000 miles (I'm currently getting 64.8 mpg). Does it have a diesel particulate filter?...

Does my 2006 Audi 3.0 V6 have a DPF?

I have a 2006 Audi 3.0 V6 TDI. Does this engine have a particulate filter? At the last service the garage used long life oil and said it would not need another service for 24 months. I don't do a high...

Does my Ford Focus have a DPF?

I have noticed from some of your articles that diesel particulate filters are likely to cause problems, especially in low mileage vehicles used for short journeys. I have a Ford Focus 1.6 LX TDCI registered...

Is our BMW 530 DSE suitable for use as our only car, including short shopping trips?

I am considering going from a two-car family to one car as my wife and I seldom use both cars together. Our mileage has dropped substantially from when the cars were bought and we now only do 6000 miles...