Is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class SE diesel suitable for lots of short journeys?

I often read your positive comments about the Mercedes-Benz C200CDI Classic SE base model, and your thoughts that this is a solid car probably good for 1,000,000 miles. I am also aware that it is not advisable to buy a car with a diesel engine if the driver was going to do a lot of short journeys.

Asked on 8 November 2010 by TL, via email

Answered by Honest John
Short runs are killers of cars with internal combustion engines. The engines fill with condensation which is never driven out by heat and consequently they cannot lubricate properly. This has been made worse by the amount of antipollution equipment that a modern engine is saddled with. So my recommendation for a car that I think would be capable of 1,000,000 miles over 10 years does not apply to a car bought for short runs. Electric cars like the Nissan Leaf and Renault Fluence EV are most suitable for this sort of use, but still expensive.
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