In 2013 I bought a 2.0 Kiga Titanium 4x4, 2 years old (61 plate), 6k miles, prev owner lived in North London. I too had a few concerns on the DPF but also had a Cooper S which I used for short journeys. The Kuga would do 90 mile runs to the office once a week, seaside every 2 months etc so the DPF would not have regeneration problems.

Never had a problem with it at all, in fact a very reliable and comfortable car and was very reluctant to have to sell in it Jan 2016 as I'd got a company car, but knowing I'd be knocking up 22-24k miles per year, didnt want telephone number mileage on my own car, so sold with 33k on the clock.

The Kuga has an Eolys DPF so whether that is a better option on other types I dont know.

Despite the apparent demonisation of diesel, they are still selling and because the Government remains on the fence and has made no proclimation one way or another, used diesels (Euro 6) are on the rise simply because of the mpg benefit over petrol. Electric/hybrids are are a faff, a PITA, expensive, borning looking, limited range, poor charging infrastructure (not one point in the Leicestershire town I live), heavy with rubbish mpg for petrol hybrids, so for anyone on a 15-25k annual mileage diesel still makes sense. I dont find the prospect of driving an electic car exciting once the novelty has worn off.