Is Diesel Better Than Petrol?
The big question remains - is diesel better than petrol? In this guide, we go over the pros and cons of petrol and diesel cars to help you make a wiser decision when it comes to buying your next car.
Pros of petrol cars
They’re better for driving short distances
Petrol engines are more spritely and less sluggish than diesel engines, meaning overtaking will be easier, and you’ll experience overall quicker acceleration speeds.
They are generally cheaper to service and insure
The higher purchase price of diesels coupled with their higher accident repair costs bring down the amount needed to insure a petrol car. As well as this, petrols are usually cheaper to service as there’s less complicated technology to check over - such as the diesel particulate filter.
Cheaper to run
Petrol is almost always cheaper to buy at the pump in comparison to diesel. However, diesels are more fuel-efficient when it comes to longer journeys.
Cons of petrol cars
Less fuel-efficient
As mentioned before, petrol cars aren’t the best choice for longer journeys and you’ll find you get fewer miles to the gallon.
You could be paying more tax if your car is registered before 2017
Before this date, the government used CO2 emissions to calculate a car's road tax. Because petrol engines cause a greater amount of CO2 emissions than diesels, if your car was registered before the 2017 date, you’ll likely pay more road tax.
Pros of diesel cars
Better power
Diesel engines are a lot more hard-wearing than petrol variations, making them great companions for country driving and towing.
Ideal for motorway driving
Diesel engines contain a nifty bit of technology called a diesel particulate filter. After so many miles this needs to be cleared out to enable the engine to run smoothly and efficiently. To do this, you need to get the car up to high speeds, and motorway driving or any other form of long-distance driving is perfect for this.
Better Fuel Economy
While prices at the pump put petrol ahead in terms of saving the most amount of money, you’ll actually get more back from your diesel engine. This then means you’ll get more miles per gallon, again making them a great option for longer journeys.
Slower depreciation and higher resale value
Diesel engines generally last longer than petrols, meaning you could get a reasonable return on investment. They also cost more to buy, meaning they’ll likely be worth more when it comes to selling than a petrol.
Cons of diesel cars
Can be more expensive to repair and service
Due to their increased complexity, diesel cars can end up being more expensive to put right if something goes wrong with them.
More expensive to buy
Because of the added complicated technology in a diesel car and engine, such as fuel efficiency technology, they can be a higher overall purchase price compared to petrols.
You may be charged if you drive into the ULEZ
The ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) covers central London, including the North and South Circular. If your diesel car doesn’t meet Euro 6 emissions standards you could be fined.
So, if you often venture in and out of or around London for work, a diesel car may not be the best option. Plus, petrols are better and more efficient for urban driving anyway.