Our current car is a diesel Citroen Picasso. Had it 7 years and it was 3 years old when we got it. Never had any problem with it. A couple of bulbs and tyre change its all we have had to do. sails through its MOT.
Had 2 Saab 9000's. Both were fantastic, but best I had was 1986 Saab 900 turbo. They don't make 'em like that now, and I can't see the new Chinese owners doing it either.
I had a Nissan Micra for 15 years, nothing much needed doing to it. I've got a Diahatsu Sirion now - had to do a few things to it, mostly around the emissions thingy.
VW Golf estate 1.6 tdi bluemotion - apart from normal services only thing needing doing was the front wipers. Had it 3 years from new and got 70k on the clock and is cheap as chips on diesel