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Petrol Vs Diesel: Choosing the right car for you

30th June 2015 Print

One of things to consider when searching for a new car is whether your new vehicle will be a petrol or diesel model. You’ll often need to decide this before you can decide on a make or model. So what are the pros and cons of the two types of fuel? How do you opt for one or the other?

Personal preference

How do you like your tea? Just as taking tea with milk and sugar is different from having it without, the experience of driving a petrol differs from being behind the wheel of a diesel car. In some ways you can see both as a simple matter of taste.

New drivers may want to consider what they learnt to drive in as it’s important to feel comfortable as a new driver. You’ll need to concentrate on perfecting the skills you learnt on your tests and keep in mind the rules of the road you learnt during your theory revision. With all that fresh in your mind you may want to stick with what you know.

If you want power, torque and the ability to change up through the gears earlier, go for a diesel. Diesel cars feel more responsive and flexible while using less energy. Many modern diesel-powered cars can also be more refined or run more smoothly than petrol cars. 

For superior torque and if you would be driving over long distances, expert motorists would suggest choosing diesel over petrol. An important factor to consider however, is that diesel cars make use of diesel particulate filters. These filters are designed to reduce the noxious emissions that diesel engines produce, but these can be prone to clogging up when driving in busy urban areas.

Fuel economy

When it comes to fuel efficiency, a car that runs on petrol may deliver up to 30% less fuel economy than its diesel counterpart, which means that you’ll have to fill up more often if you have a petrol car. If you will be taking long journeys, you will be able to save on fuel costs by purchasing a diesel.  However, don’t forget that, partly to reflect this, petrol is cheaper per litre than diesel. If you don’t need or use much fuel then you may not feel the total benefits of a diesel.

Costs to run

The most important factor to consider are the running costs, which include insurance, depreciation, servicing and maintenance, and of course, the purchase price. Petrol cars cost less to buy (usually around ten percent cheaper) and service than their diesel counterparts, but diesel cars are less expensive to tax because of lower carbon dioxide emissions. Diesels are also cheaper to insure. 

As for depreciation, the resale values between diesel and petrol models vary, so make sure you check before you make your final decision. 

In general, thanks to the fact it’s seen that they can get through plenty of miles, diesel cars are able to hold on to their resale values better than petrol vehicles. You’ll have to weigh up whether the extra outlay at the start is a worthwhile investment for the future.