The price difference between diesel and petrol can be substantial, as can the difference in driving economy. There are several factors to consider when choosing which to go for, but we've pulled out three that should top your list.
Performance
Diesels traditionally deliver more torque, allowing drivers to change through the gears faster at low rev ranges. While this can be tedious in a manual, it can make an automatic car far more powerful. The performance at speed is often smoother in a diesel too, and around 8% more efficient than petrol cars.
However, if you are a town- or city-based driver, you should be aware that many diesels use diesel particulate filters (DPFs), which are prone to clogging during low-speed urban driving.
Economy
Diesel cars themselves are more expensive to buy and more expensive to fill up since British refineries have focused on producing petrol rather than diesel in recent years.
While many drivers think they'll save in running costs by filling up less – diesels offer up to 30% more fuel economy – you only counteract the cost of purchase if you are a very frequent driver.
Maintenance costs
Make sure you ask your dealership about how the costs of servicing, insurance and depreciation differ between the relevant diesel and petrol options. Diesel-powered cars tend to be more expensive to service, while petrol-powered cars can be more expensive to tax and insure.
You will have to balance the costs for the model you're considering. And depending what your mileage is, you could be due a service more frequently than once a year.
Please contact your local Lookers dealership today to find out more about the diesel and petrol options available for your preferred marque and model. We have a wide selection of new and used diesel and petrol cars for sale now.