Should I buy a Diesel?

StephyM

Hi,

I am looking at buying a used car and getting rid of my current Vauxhall Corsa (petrol).

I only really use my car to get to work and back which is about 18 miles per day and then for short journeys at the weekend.

Not knowing much about cars, should I even consider a diesel car or would I have problems with it as I only do short journeys?

Thanks in advance!

Moto2

The car would be fine IME, not sure whether that's an economical route to take though. I would have thought a petrol would be cheaper to run over those sorts of distances.

scaredofdebt

You may have DPF related issues with such relatively short journeys, what type of roads are they?

I'd think a petrol is more sensible for those shortish journeys.

missile

One of the new small engine petrol cars would be more economical. Older used diesels can be very expensive when you need to replace injectors, DPF et al.

Learn to drive more economically.

StephyM

scaredofdebt wrote: »

You may have DPF related issues with such relatively short journeys, what type of roads are they?

I'd think a petrol is more sensible for those shortish journeys.

The majority of my work drive is on an A road.

Moto2

If you really want a diesel, get one without a DPF

Something with a Toyota 2.0 D4D engine maybe?
No DPF and no cam belt either

Loads of others, just do a bit of research on reliability and cost of repairs before committing

Herzlos

Assuming a normal 260 day working year, that's not even 5000 miles. On standard running costs alone you're better with petrol, and that's before factoring in the extra repair costs that you risk when using a diesel so little.

I'd go petrol with that mileage/journey size, definitely.

DKLS

With that mileage, petrol is the only answer.

C_Mababejive

No...buy petrol.

sian123

Yes but remember not to put petrol in it! My friend did that and spent hundreds on getting it fixed. Not good!

Sian

GlynD

With that size of car and the mileage you get from them these days I'd forget about diesel. The government has almost removed the advantage of having a diesel anyway with extra tax on the fuel. I'm not anti diesel, I've had two of them and they were great cars. That was back in the day when I did big mileage however and diesel was much cheaper than petrol.