You still havent spoke of a budget. The 04 onward models are better screwed together than earlier and have most of the niggles worked out.
I cant commit for general repairs as mine has suffered from 3 different garages messing up/lying to me.
But my mot results are not too bad.
1st needed a brake light bulb. I had been rear ended 3 days before though so not suprised with it.
2nd needed tracking rod ends changed, £50.
3rd needed new front ball joints, drop links, i got a couple of anti roll bar bushes changed and a fuel and crankcase filter changed as well. £340.
Im about to get new propshaft bearings fitted, £40 for parts, £60 labour.
Td4's can return mid 30s in normal driving, upto mid 40s on the motorway.
My best is 585 miles from a tank, which was 44 mpg.
Mine, had it over 3 years. Td4 SE. have covered 34k in it, and shall do another 20 easily as im now going back to college. If a future student (24 year's old) is going to run one. You will easily run one.