Refine by channel:  Ask HJ (1713)    Forum (912)    News (157)    FAQs (4)    Article (1)  

Sort by: Relevance | Newest first | Oldest first

• 25 Jun 2017 (Forum)
  Don't forget that a recent study has found that some new Direct Injection Petrol Cars, actually put out more damaging particulates than pre-DPF diesels!. One fact found from these tests was that an EU6 petrol was actually found to be far more damaging to health than an EU5 Diesel. But I suspect the G'ment won't tell you that now they are on something of a revenue roll.They'll just get around to penalising you for owning one at a later date.
• Jaguar X-Type 2.0d - Positive Story 22 Feb 2016 (Forum)
  We're all used to horror stories and reading HJ too much with accounts of failed DPFs, ECUs, etc. and huge repair bills is enough to give you nightmares and visions of imminent bankruptcy.  So here's a positive story - I think so, anyway. Took the car (2004, 157k) in for service and MoT today to my local trusted indy.
• Volvo V50 (2004 - ) - 2.0d - any good, and a few questions? 11 Oct 2015 (Forum)
  I know a few people with high mileage examples of these engines (in different cars) that have had no issues at all, so if it is the same engine, I'm happy. I am very concerned about the DPF on the Euro IV models - they do a lot of short journeys. Is this the type that needs a regular blast to clear it out, or is it the fluid based system? If there's any worries on this, we'll try and find a Euro III model.
• Peugeot 307 SW - No/Low Turbo Power 8 Feb 2015 (Forum)
  The problem I have now is that there is next to no power from the engine. This car has cost me a small fortune in the last 6 months. The dual mass clutch let go, then the DPF went faulty and since the Dual mass was done the car has very low power. Dual Mass was repalced with a standard clutch and flywheel by a garage and the car was quite sluggish to drive. Then the "Anti Polution Fault" message came up so I plugged in my code reader and replaced the faulty parts (Cap Sensor & MAF Sensor) Then I got a message saying the additive was at minimum so I filled it and reset the counter.
• Toyota Verso 1.8 petrol 2009 ,very low mpg 2 Feb 2015 (Forum)
  Is it worthy to invest in better tyres like mich.saver + or look around for other vehicle, even diesel version ( 2.0 d4d) although I do only 8-9k/per year , read about some problems with dfw and dpf from lates 2010 in verso, if its  true. thanks
• VW - Need some advice on buying a family car for £2-4k 6 Jan 2015 (Forum)
  We need boot space for a buggy and the weekly shop. So far I have been thinking of a TDI Touran or Passat estate, however concerned with the dreaded DPF's. We have had 1.9TDI's in the past (in Bora body) and was very happy with it however now that size car would be inadequate. Should I stay clear of the 2L TDI? I wouldnt mind something with some torque (after all i need some pleasing).
• Mondeoondeo - best family auto estate 18 Aug 2014 (Forum)
    My options so far are : Mondeo estate 163bhp Titanium X auto Insignia estate 163 bhp auto VW Passat estate 177 ps DSG Skoda Superb estate 1.8 TSI DSG Volvo XC60 D4 181 auto (dreaming…)   Most of these are diesel, and whilst petrol is an option new, it seems most fleet cars that appear on the second hand market are diesel. In view of the bad press on diesels and DPFs I would rather have petrol.   Which is the best of the bunch and is there any other cars I should consider.   I could wait until March before buying.
• .....what small car for £5K'ish 27 Jan 2014 (Forum)
  Have been looking (on net) at: Suzhuki Swift Sport (newer and low miles for years) Skoda Fabi VRS (no DPF) 2009 on Ford Fiesta Zetec S (would struggle to get a decent one for cash) Want somthing that is bit of fun to drive at weekends and not overally expensive to run and maintain. Anything else to consider for the money?
• Vauxhall Zafira DTI - Simple replacement for my trusty Zafira 31 Oct 2012 (Forum)
    However I am worried that it may not prove to be as reliable and I have considered trying to buy a dead simple diesel, chain cam, no common rail and no DPF.  Does such a car exist?................ or do I have to buy a Prius? 
• HJ - Daily Telegraph 14 Jan 15 Jan 2012 (Forum)
  I brought up a family with an original Mini, and as for the car my daughter drives........  2. Life of a car now eight years. Its  the expensive "economy" of DPFs, turbos (now coming to a 1200cc petrol engine at your local dealership)  and all the other electronic gizmos with a short MTBF.  No wonder it is "cheaper" to buy new.  The paradox of all this though is that used cars are still overpriced if this really is a car's economic life.
• Newbie, please be gentle with me! 11 Jan 2012 (Forum)
  I tend to agree with your general scepticism about modern diesels, if the all round cost is taken into account, I'm not sure they're any cheaper to run than a petrol equivalent, people need to look beyond the mpg figure and maybe include the potential dpf,dmf or turbo replacement cost, just to give themselves a few sleepless nights. The recent post by sirionman was very interesting, I must agree with him that owning an asian car is in my opinion a good choice.
• PSA Diesels - 1.6 or 2.0 more reliable? 23 Nov 2011 (Forum)
  I tend to hear more horror stories about the 1.6 than the 2.0. e.g. the sludging up issue - repetitive turbo failures caused by EGRs etc. Both have DMF and DPF but is one generally more troublesome than the other? Opinions and personal experiences welcomed.......
• Musa - Lancia 25 Sep 2011 (Forum)
  On the plus side it did prove economical. I wonder if these engines are devoid of all the seemingly bad features of dmf, dpf etc and are closer to the old style of diesels and as such are a better long term bet?
• Mazda 3 ts2 2.0d 2008 - Sump oil rising fast 14 Dec 2010 (Forum)
  Last month it was towed into a Mazda main dealer with the sump oil level very high, loss of power, uneven idle, and run-on after switch off (no dash warnings).  The dealer reconfigured the injectors, made a service update to the ECU for the DPF warning setting. Mazda refused the warranty claim saying this is a serviceable issue. I  note from the injector readings that one injector is way different to the other 3.  I note that the sump oil has risen by over 10mm in the last 900 miles.
• All diesel - Particulate filters in hot climate 9 Aug 2010 (Forum)
  The question is does the warmer climate have any affect on the regeneration cycle of the almost inevitable DPF/FAP ?  The engine reaches operating temperature very quickly, so for most of the year (it can be very cold in winter here, even on the mediterranean coast) the exhaust will be operating at a much higher temperature than in U.K.
• 2010 vauxhall zafira 1.9 CDTi diesel - ZAFIRA LIMP-MODE OR THROTTLE-PEDAL ISSUE? 22 Sep 2023 (Forum)
  There was also an ECU 38008 error-code which relates to the glow-plug. So is it possible that the fault lies with the throttle-pedal and is not an exhaust DPF / DGR issue at all? Thanks in advance for any responses.
• Estate car or hatch as an overnight camper 17 Sep 2020 (Forum)
  I’m a diesel fan but modern ones put me off, currently have a 1.6cr in my seat but failed regens and oil overfilling/dpf and intermittent injector errors put me off the older PD I had was much better. Are there any modern diesels at this price point that are any good? Or stick to petrol. If I had more money I’d be looking at the civic tourer 1.6 dtec.
• Solid choices for (8->15 year old) small cars 7 Oct 2019 (Forum)
  We're a two car family and I've been practising bangernomics for these past few years (after a bruising experience with DPF problems on a new car), just buying sub-£1000 cars, spending as little as possible on them, and scrapping them when faced with a large bill. This has worked very well for the large family car  - had a brilliant 2001 406 diesel that cost £500 and lasted me for two years, and an even better '98 reg honda accord that cost £350 and lasted three years.
• Hyundai ix35 - ix35 Stick or twist? 26 Nov 2018 (Forum)
  New Mazda 3 is out as will only take 50kg on roof. Any suggestions - do I just run the ix35 into the ground or am I asking for DPF/DMF trouble here in the next few years? Thanks in advance
• Ford Focus - Ford Focus - Which Diesel Engine? 6 Feb 2014 (Forum)
  It looks as though there isn't much in it between the 1.6 and 1.8 litre engines in terms of economy and performance. I have heard some advice not to go for the 1.6 as the DPF can cuase problems. So I'm thinking the 1.8 could be my best option? However, as my daily journey is 90% motorway cruising, I'm wondering if the larger 2 litre would be reccomended? Does anyone have any advice on how much difference I would actually notice in terms of fuel economy and performance?