How can I minimise damage to my MINI Countryman diesel's DPF on short journeys?

On 2 December 2010 I bought a diesel MINI Countryman ALL4. This is the first diesel-engined car I have ever bought. I am delighted with it as a car. It is comfortable and the performance is lively and...

Why are short journeys in my BMW 118d insufficient to charge the battery?

I drove to Colchester in my 2008-registered BMW E87 118d on 20 October. The journey of 70 miles return was achieved without mishap. However on 21 October, whilst entering a car park, the malfunction display...

I've had no DPF problems with my Nissan Qashqai diesel over 20,000 miles, despite using it for short trips.

I owned a Nissan Qashqai Acenta 2.0 DCI Turbo for 31 months during which time it covered 20,000 miles. It averaged 40mpg (according to the computer). At no time did I have any issues with the DPF. At each...

Can you recommend a fun replacement for our Renault Megane convertible?

I am recently retired, and am looking to change our second car (a Renault Megane Convertible) in the spring. What I would like is the fun of an old Mini, with all mod cons. We don’t like the new BMW MINI,...

Is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class SE diesel suitable for lots of short journeys?

I often read your positive comments about the Mercedes-Benz C200CDI Classic SE base model, and your thoughts that this is a solid car probably good for 1,000,000 miles. I am also aware that it is not advisable...

What could replace my Jaguar SE with a bit of 'go', an automatic gearbox and higher seating?

I am looking to change my 2004 Jaguar 3.0-litre SE auto estate. In order to avoid the constant pothole problems and gain higher seating, I would like something with a little bit of go, preferably an auto....

Is it true that diesel vehicles don't respond well to repeated short runs from cold?

I have advised my wife that for only about 5,000 miles per year she needs to stick to a petrol automatic SUV because it's cheaper and diesel engines do not like short runs from cold. She has looked for...

Should we replace our diesel Nissan Qashqai with a petrol version before we suffer DPF problems?

Hi John, my wife drives a 2007 Nissan Qashqai 2.0 dCi Acenta 4WD auto and used to cover 25,000 miles a year with work. However a change in our circumstances now means that she travels only 5,000 miles...

Short Journeys

Articles often talk about cars which have mainly short journeys being less desirable as cars which do mostly motorway mileages - but what is considered a short journey? My daily commute is about 16 miles...

Will the new Honda Jazz hybrid be suitable for my style of driving, which mainly consists of short journeys?

Once a week I do a journey of three miles each way in town. Three times a year I do 140 miles each way, mostly on the motorway, and about four times a year I do about 50 miles each way. You have written...