Sorry it's a long one!!

We bought a Kia Carens 06 Diesel on the 28th January. Full service history (bar 1 stamp), 1 owner, tidy car, seemed fine £1750). I've always bought 2nd hand cars as been brought up with them and usually pick well. This time I think I was obscured by the fact we were desperate for a new car. We bought from a car dealer, doesn't have a forecourt but is a registered trader with a registered company.

2 weeks after purchase we realised the brake discs/pads were knackered and were about to send it for replacement when the turbocharger blocked and failed. Dealer was surprisingly ok about it, picked up the car, had the turbo reconditioned and the lines all flushed out.

We got the car back after 2.5 weeks then sent it for new discs/pads. Probably should of asked the dealer to sort them, I did tell him about them but to be honest we were just pleased that he'd done the turbo.

Got the brakes fixed including the calipers. Then a few weeks ago we realised both front tyres were exceptionally bald to the point of the wires showing. 2 new tyres and the tracking fixed later and we think we're finally sorted. (kicking myself that I had picked up on tracking when purchasing but put it down to a 'minor' thing that can easily be fixed.

So now almost 3 months after purchase the engine management light has come on and it's the bleeping DPF and there's a small leak in an oil line linked to the turbo. It's at my garage, just waiting to hear the exact details but looks like it needs new DPF or a DPF flush at the very least.

So i'm coming to terms with the fact that i've bought a duff car. It's my first diesel and looks like i've made rookie mistakes. I will admit to it and don't need anyone to point out that I've been stupid.

So what now? Do I:

a) contact the dealer, tell him all the issues we've had and see what he says.

b) put it down to experience and learn from it?

The car has no dealer warranty but theoretically I am covered under trading standards. Is it worth pursuing and entering into an argument with the dealer and everything that follows? I am usually very forthright and will stand my ground whereas the husband is passive but in this instance I am intimated by the situation being the woman pretending I know more than I do about cars.

We've spent £400 on it so far without the cost of the DPF. The car was only meant to be a stop gap for 8 months until we can save and afford a 7 seater. In the scheme of things £1750 isn't a huge amount to lose but we can't afford anything else yet.

What should we do?