If you are worried about buying a diesel car given the recent press, higher tax rates and the the introduction of clean air zones then read on!
Diesel cars provide greater fuel economy than their petrol counterparts, as well as offering more torque on tap for those who tow. If you regularly cover a lot of high-speed miles I.e. regular motorway driving rather than lots of short trips then you should consider a diesel.
Although used car prices are up, diesel car prices are falling due to the demonisation of diesel in recent years mainly due to its health and environmental implications. Therefore, used diesel car prices are tempting – but they only suit a particular type of driver. If you misuse a diesel vehicle or buy an older model, you may quickly face expensive bills and heavy penalties for driving in city centres.
Is a Diesel car right for me?
On the whole the UK is falling out of love with diesel vehicles for lots of reasons. However, a diesel car could be a smart choice if your annual mileage is around 15,000+ miles per year or above. This is because diesel is around 20% more efficient than petrol so long term running costs would be less, but only for drivers who go long distances or travel on motorways regularly. If you live in a city and/or mostly drive less than 15 miles per journey, then you’re better off buying a petrol.
Diesel cars are at unkind to the environment when driven at low speeds, this also affects particular parts of a diesel car known as the DPF which can start to become problematic if they’re incorrectly used.
What’s the future of diesel cars in the UK?
Under current plans the sale of new diesel and petrol cars will banned from 2030 and as a result the market share of diesels has dropped catastrophically in the last two years. Drivers are opting for new diesels less and less so there are
some great deals on new and used diesel cars. The slump in demand means discounts on new diesel cars are higher on average than for their petrol counterparts, and it’s often enough to offset the higher tax rates on diesels.
Should I trade in my diesel car?
If you’re thinking of upgrading or if you no longer commute on the motorway, you’ve retired or you just don’t cover a lot of miles anymore – it’s worth replacing an older (Euro 4 or earlier) diesel if you can afford to.
If you buy a diesel car today, you’ll be buying a Euro 6 diesel. These are the cleanest diesel engines ever produced and aren’t currently affected by clean air restrictions.
Help to buy right!
Here at Car Auction Buying Service, we’re dedicated to finding the very best deal at auction for you, attending events arranged by British Car Auctions, Manheim and Aston Barclay, plus many more. To find out more, or to inquire about buying your next vehicle from a nationwide or local car auctions, please give us a call on 07999 728009. Alternatively, you can fill out our online form.
