Hi Joanne,

The Focus only gives diesel filter problems if you drive low mileages and only on short hops – if you’re doing lots of motorway miles or have a lengthy commute, you’ll be fine. As a 1.4, both cars are pretty evenly matched – the second generation Focus doesn’t have an especially nice interior, but it’s roomier than the Golf and slightly nicer to drive too. I’d say there wouldn’t be an awful lot between them in terms of overall reliability as long as you buy one that’s been cared for and has a full service history – the Golf might have a slight build quality advantage, but there’s little enough in it.