I bought a new Ford C-Max 2.0 diesel on your recommendation in 2006 and to date, with 104,000 miles on the clock, it has been an excellent and comfortable workhorse giving me a regular 47/8mpg, dipping only to 44 when towing my 2-berth caravan and not having any problem with it at all. Next year I will need to change it and the caravan, as I approach 63. I will be upgrading the van for one that has a tow weight of more than 1232kg, so a direct replacement of the C-Max is not possible, but I am limited for space in the height of the car due to the electric door mechanism on my garage, but not in the length. I also want to have the same economy in the new car.

To date I have only found one car that seems to tick all my boxes and that is the Volvo V50 2.0TDI. Maximum spend £23,000. Can you tell me of any more I should be considering, or that you know will be coming along in the next few months that might suit me and my circumstances?