Citroen C5 2.0 HDi Tourer you will find it hard to fnd an estate larger,

Go for a petrol: your mileage isn't excessive, and diesels can go expensively wrong as they get older.

I don't know why you think the only petrol option is an Avensis: this is a good car but you should also look at the Mondeo 2.0, Mazda 6 2.0, Skoda Octavia 1.8 TSI and Honda Accord Tourer 2.0 - all petrol. The Mazda 6 petrol has a particularly good reptutaion for reliability.

You might find a Skoda Superb estate (1.8 TSI) within budget, although they've only been out for about 3 years. This, the Mondeo and C5 are all about as big as you'll find.

Edited by Avant on 06/04/2013 at 12:18

PSA (not PAS) and Ford jointly produce diesel engines, not petrol as far as I know. There is nothing much wrong with these engines: the uncertain reputation of French cars is more to do with their electrics.

A diesel Mondeo as the OP knows is a good car. Some of us are suggesting petrol because of the short commute.

In the end I bought a Mazda 6 2.2D 180 Sport.

I've found it a great buy as it has a huge easy to load boot and bench style rear sat that easily accomodates 3 kids seats. Its great to drive and shifts when you put your foot down. Excellently built and attractive cabin and its loaded with gadgets and a cracking Bose stereo. I've already taken it on 3 300 mile trips and found it to be a great cruiser.

The only minor disappointment is the fuel economy which I've strugled to get above 40mpg.

Before buying I took a 1.8 petrol Avensis out for a spin. The engine was OK but I missed the torque that you get from a turbo diesel. Howvever, the build was shocking. 2 years old and only 20,000 miles and everything was rattling in the cabin.

I'm looking for a large family estate with a budget of under £12K. It needs to accomodate the wife and 3 children plus associated luggage. I'd like the car to handle well and not be too sluggish as I'm currently driving a 03 Mondeo hatch 2L 136PSI TDCi I'd ideally like to buy 2 to 3 years old with max of 60,000 on the clock.

I was looking at either a Mazda 6 or Mondeo diesel but I'm concerned about the DPF. Although I do around 12,000 miles per year. My daily commute is only 4.5 miles extended to 9 miles if a school/nursery drop off is involved. Am I right to be concerned about likely DPF problems.

If I look at petrol cars my only option seems to be a Toyato Avenis V-matic? Does anybody have any experience of these engines or is there any other freely available alternative?

Check out the Skoda garage. The Superb estate is massive in terms of inner space and a lovely car to drive. If you find that too big try an Octavia estate, again massive inner space. Owned them both and still have one. Excellent cars. A good second hand one should be within your budget. Good Luck. Concrete