You have slightly misinterpreted what I wrote. Modern diesels still make sense for fleet drivers driving 15,000 - 50,000 miles a year, or for lower annual mileages composed of runs of more than 30 miles. They are usually disposed of by the fleets at three or four years old with 60,000 - 120,000 miles on them. These ex-fleet cars are not good buys for private motorists because most of the things that go wrong with modern diesels are then about to go wrong: Diesel Particulate Filters, Dual Mass Flywheels, EGR valves, turbos and timing belts. On a car you paid £5000 for you could be in for £5000 of expenditure. Unless you intend driving more than 15,000 miles a year (or always drive more than 30 miles at a time) and will dispose of the car after three or four years, I would not buy a diesel.