A friend has got into trouble with a 2008 Focus 2.0 diesel powershift. It's the usual things you write about - DPF failing, very expensive to get repaired (only by a Ford dealer), plus auto problems, with the box going up and down gears repeatedly. She paid £14K 3 years ago, has covered 80,000 in it (plus the original 7,000 on it) - but it seems time to get rid of it, probably trading it in.

She can spend another 3K plus the Focus. What auto medium sized car would you recommend that is reasonably economical, comfortable, within her budget and has a reliable, old-style auto box? She's hoping to get something say 2 years old, with modest mileage, so she can start clocking up 30,000 a year again and know that it will last until retirement at least, in 3-4 years' time.
Many thanks