Hi everyone!

I am not actually a member of the Ford fraternity just yet - I am on the look out for a Focus estate diesel but really need some help......PLEASE!!

My budget is £4k - £5k. All of the cars within 60 miles have between 80k - 100k on the clock. I have seen a 2008 1.6 TDCi with 104k on the clock for £3995. I have asked Honest John for "his" advice and he said to steer clear because i could be looking at a £5k repair bill for "new DMF and clutch, new DPF system, new turbo, new EGR". While I respect his advice, I would also like some real world users advice because it is easy to predict the worst case scenario but surely not EVERY car that reaches 104k miles will need a £5k repair...?!?!

This will be my first diesel so some advice on what to look out for would be really appreciated.

Thanks everyone!

Ive just brought a new dmf and clutch kit for mine £280 cheap that is i just gotta get it fitted my car has done 97k and its a 2008 1.8tdci mondy

Tbh m8 if you widen ur search u can get 1 with lower milage and in that price range have a look on evans halshaw wrb sites they have cheap 1's in

Personally, if i was looking for a Focus diesel, i would go for the 1.8, (without a DPF), the engine is a bit tougher and "torquier" than the 1.6, no DPF to go wrong (+ the DPF can have "knock on effects" like killing the turbo) and you can fit a soiid EGR blanking plate so no problems with the EGR

On top of that, a remap (including Bluefin) will give you a decent turn if speed while retaining good economy

Thanks for your comments Daz and FOCA.

FOCA - this is why I need help cos I didn't know the 1.8 doesn't have a DPF (out of interest, why is that?). Also, should I be looking for clutch/head gaskets having been replaced on a focus with 60 - 80k on the clock? If not, do you know roughly the intervals for clutch/head gasket to be replaced? It appears that the focus estate diesel is popular as a fleet car (hence the high mileage) so I wonder what major work would be done on a fleet car during its 3/4/5 year usage. Cheers.

A DPF (diesel particulate filter) is a means of removing carcinogenic particulates from diesel exhaust fumes which are then burnt off during a regeneration phase (the exhaust temperature is increased to produce a harmless ash).

On earlier versions a fluid was released into the filter to allow burn off at lower temperatures but was expensive and messy to refill (plus not extremely efficient).

Newer versions use a better designed system whereby fluid is no longer required but the DPF itself is more expensive to replace if necessary to do so.

Badly regenerated DPF can affect the performance of the car, usually due to trips that are too short to produce the required temperatures for sustained periods.

DPF fitted cars are avoided by people that are 'in the know' but very few diesel cars come without one now.

The Ford 1.8 diesel engine is a 'true' Ford unit and although it's pretty basic compared to modern engines it is generally considered 'bombproof' whereas most Ford engines now are primarily reworked Peugeot/Citroen blocks and not regarded as so robust or reliable.

Personally I reckon a 1.8 block is more tuneable, easier to maintain and much better for everyday driving.