As you are thinking of p/x-ing a 4-year-old car, I assume you are thinking of something newer. The current thinking on here seems to be to avoid recent diesel engines, which have a particulate filter. Those do not like a regime of short runs, unless you give them a (possibly aimless) occasional blast to induce regeneration of the filter. So go petrol, which may use 10-20% more fuel, but that is usually a few pence cheaper.

The OP is certainly in position where, all things being equal, the advice would be to go for petrol. Both prevalence of short journeys and overall annual mileage well under £10k point that way.

It appears though that all things are not equal. JB inds himself in position where there are many available options with diesel but reltively few petrols. Given he's looking at medium/large saloons and possibly estates where a large number will have been originally fleet or business purchases that is not surprising.

I doubt the Leeds to Pontefract sector would be guaranteed to keep the DPF healthy too short and too urban. Middlesbrough would though - but is that enough?

How often does a DPF engine need 'stretching' to keep the filter working properly?

Edited by Bromptonaut on 19/06/2015 at 13:09

I reckon a Mondeo size diesel will be more fun and use less fuel than equivalent petrol car and be a lot easier to find. I have 08 2.0 Mondeo TDCI, its a nice car, reliable and economical. I always feel people overdo the situation diesel doomsday stuff.

No need to worry, JB, this this topic has been discussed before - it's always of interest and relevant to a lot of us.

If you like your Focus, why not go for a petrol Focus estate? If you need more room, a Skoda Octavia would suit, and as a higher proportion of Skodas are bought privately, you've more chance of finding a petrol one.