I unfortunately own a 1.9 CDTI (vauxhall, also found in Saab, Fiat and others i think) which i can confirm is completely sh1t.
I’ve given up trying to find a good 2nd hand diesel for 4-5k ish. If they work I think people keep them, its mostly the duds that are for sale. I think i’ll either buy petrol or spend more and buy at 1-2 years old and sell when stuff starts to go wrong out of warranty.
I didn’t have much luck with a VAG 1.9 TDI PD 115 engine either, mainly due to the head gasket going (seems i’m not alone in this happening), but by comparison with the vauxhall 600 quid to get it fixed with cambelt would have been a bargain.