I think your main problem is the garage you are using. It sounds like whoever did your timing belt didn't set the timing correctly I suspect it's tooth or two out. These engines need special timing tools to set the timing. Sounds like your mechanic may not have used these. Also these cars are sensitive to low battery voltage which can set ecu codes. So I would get your battery checked. I had this with my focus it was the battery.

I no longer use the independent garage who did the timing belt and it's been checked by the Ford repairer here in Manchester and all seems okay, other than them actually checking the timing which involves according to them virtually stripping everything down again to check it will cost as much as replacing the timing belt again less the costs of the belt of course...

Also, the had the battery checked and all is fine with it, showing the right cold cranking and its a healthy 12.4v when checked. The alternator is charging between 13.1 to 13.7v too...

It's hard to say how much of this is a 'lemon' car and faults being repaired badly. That is quite a list on a simple petrol car that is recommended quite often on these forums. I have a 2005 car that I use for work and it's costing me far less than that in terms of repairs, stories like this make me pensive about changing!

I would say get rid, as even if it's finally sorted, I think it's left a bad taste in your mouth and you're probably sick of the sight of it. Yes, you could have problems with the replacement, but it's just the risk you have to take - just try to lessen it by buying from approved main dealer with warranty.

While you have been quite unlucky here you have to remember that it’s an 8yr old car with the best part of 100,000 miles up. Of course there will be problems and none have been catastrophic. The only mistake you’ve made is to allow a mechanic to try and fix an electric fault instead of seeking out a proper auto electrician to diagnose and fix it correctly. Your typical Joe mechanic knows nowt about electrical faults and will only guess then throw parts at any problem at your expense. As for replacement I doubt WBAC would give you £3k for it and even if they did you don’t have any real cash available to really upgrade. I’d get it properly diagnosed and fixed at a good auto spark then keep it while you save more money. I wouldn’t sell one old car for another old car unless it suffers a major failure.

Trouble is what is something else goes wrong after this time? It's only been 2-3 weeks since I spent £570 on the EGR, 3 weeks before that was a service with auxiliary belt and now this...

I'm still trying to decide what to do, because I really do love the way the car drives/handles etc. when it doesn't leave me stranded.