We would like to buy either a Ford Focus hatchback or estate or a 2008 Ford C-Max from British Car Auctions, where we have purchased several cars in the past. The car will serve as an all purpose workhorse managing everything from local shopping to driving to the French Alps for the ski season, so will probably do about 12,000 miles a year. We're basically looking for a car that would be reliable and not too expensive to service. I would appreciate your advice on which engine? I would prefer chain cam, but I'm not sure which are. I also favour diesel but am aware of particulate filter problems. And which model?