Diesel or petrol?

[Lucinda15]

We are looking to buy a used car. We can only really find the type we want (larger mpv’s) in diesel (within our budget). We have been trying to avoid diesel, for the reasons widely reported in the media. But it’s really restricting our choices and are now considering going with diesel as we desperately need a new car.

Would this be an awful mistake?

How long do you think you'll use it for?

Maybe the next 7-10 years perhaps??

I’m never getting another diesel again. Not after all that dpf carry on so obviously I’ll advise against it if you just want one to do mostly local journeys.

If you’re going to hit a motorway regular for a decent chunk of time it’ll be fine probably.

I still wouldn’t.

I reckon I would buy diesel if it's only way you can get what you need. 10 yrs takes you only to 2028.

We are quite minimal car users, mind. Walk & cycle most of our journeys. Do appreciate cars very much so we can go much further at times, though.

Even whatcar says "If your driving is mainly town-based, diesels really are best avoided."

ps: there's a good "Help you choose" tool on that last link I posted.

If you're going to carry out short runs, where the engine remains cold, buy a petrol. Unless you can take the car for longer runs regularly. Diesel engines like to run warm and don't run efficiently on constant short trips. Otherwise, buy what suits your family and maintain it well. You'll loose more money by changing out an unsuitable car, then you will by buying the right one for you in the first place.
Advice from Government changes all the time, who knows what will be the next great worry. I would be more concerned about the UK running short of energy, than driving a well maintained diesel car in an appropriate way.

I’ve just been hit with a £1.2k repair bill due to the DPF. Don’t get a diesel if you don’t regularly drive on th m’way

Why not get an electric car ? Much cheaper to run and brillliant fun to drive.

I’m getting a petrol as my next one, and am ditching the diesel.
I have test drove a few electric cars, but they didn’t have much pulling power on the test drives. Tbh, I don’t think they’re quite there yet with the electric cars (unless it’s a Tesla £££££).

Well it’s always a personal choice.

It’s true electric cars aren’t good for towing trailers or caravans, brings the range down too much. But they’re much faster off the line at the traffic lights. Even a cheap electric car will beat any BMW or Alfa or Porsche because of the instant torque. And driving around town is very lively indeed if you want it to be.

Not all diesels are more polluting than all petrols - so if this is worrying you then do your research. Older diesels are quite polluting, but a lot of modern ones compare favourably with petrol equivalents for emissions.

If you do a lot of long-distance and/or motorway driving diesel tends to be more fuel efficient (significantly so, in fact, up to 15-20%). If you need a car for short hops, city driving, the school run, etc, then petrol is better.

But there have been rumours for a couple of years now that diesel drivers are going to be hit with additional taxes and/or banned from city centres.

Personally, if cost were no object, I would probably buy a hybrid now.