Your feedback on the Vectra CDTi were taken into account when I acquired, for 'very right money,' an ex-fleet 2006 estate, about 12 months ago, for towing a caravan, since when I have replaced the dual mass flywheel, the water pump, timing belt etc and had the DPF valve de-coked. The inlet swirl flaps have just given problems and the manifold is also being cleaned of its deposits. My son in law very recently had the EGR valve replaced on his Saab 9-3 1.9 diesel (same engine). Your list of woes for this engine (in 'Life' of 14th March) is unfortunately all too accurate, and, presumably, all modern diesels, with 16 valves and common rail, which have exhaust gases fed back into the inlet, suffer from similar troubles, brought about by the need to reduce emissions whilst giving more power and torque.
My wife and I both like the Vectra very much and I have no wish to sell it, but would appreciate your views on keeping maintenance costs as low as possible, as I shall soon be retiring. I put Shell fuel in it, with, every 6 or so tankfuls, an additive, usually Diesel Magic, although my wife, who uses it most of the time, occasionally buys Morrisons fuel. We put V-Power in my Ducatis, our MX5 and her SAAB 9-3 convertible. Would V-Power diesel be an advantage in the CDTi, in keeping it clean? I will soon replace the Vectra, so your recommendation for a modestly priced, reasonably economical towcar, for a 1500kg 'van, would be much appreciated, as my intention is to keep it until my own turbo bearings fail and I go to the Great Scrapyard in the sky.