Published: 04.02.2026
A customer brought their Ford Focus diesel to us after a breakdown service advised it was safe to drive, but should go straight to a garage. They’d noticed smoke coming from under the bonnet and a strong smell while driving. Understandably, it was worrying, smoke is never something you want to see coming from your engine.
Once the car arrived, we carried out a full inspection. The issue turned out to be a failed fuel injector seal. This meant combustion gases from inside the engine were escaping around the injector and into the engine bay. That’s what caused the smoke and the unpleasant smell.
Unfortunately, once we’d looked further, it was clear the car also had several other issues developing. While the injector seal itself can usually be repaired without major work, the overall condition of the vehicle meant costs were starting to add up.
After discussing the options, the customer decided it wasn’t worth investing further money into the car given its age and condition, and chose to scrap the vehicle instead.
Sometimes the best decision isn’t repair but knowing when it’s time to move on — and we’re always honest with customers so they can make the right choice for their