Should I sell my diesel car...

ShrewsfanIC

... ahead of proposed tax changes / fees / charges?

I'm worried that with all the current talk of the damage that diesel does to the environment, my car value could fall dramatically, and so am considering changing for petrol, now.

I know in some ways this is a 'piece of string' type question, but just looking for some insight into what others think about this... should I make the change or should I not let it worry me and keep running my current car, bearing in mind 1 of the main drivers behind this is the diesel issue (there is an insurance reduction too, but thats secondary)

Thanks, guys

Strider590

And that exactly what "they" want you to do, they do this every now and then to give the automotive industry a boost. New cars = new debt and the 20% VAT (on average nearly £5000 on every new car sold) is the icing on the cake.

phill99

It will be years before the Government do anything about Diesel Cars. And then 'If'. There is too much at stake - political suicide as it will alienate every one that fell into the trap of buying diesel cars as well as trying to deal with a very strong and lobbying motor trade and car makers!!

force_ten

if it is a newer car that meets euro 5 or euro 6 emissions standards then i wouldnt do anything at the moment, if it is an older diesel that does not comply with the latest emission standards then may be worth considering a change

neilmcl

ShrewsfanIC wrote: »

... ahead of proposed tax changes / fees / charges?

I'm worried that with all the current talk of the damage that diesel does to the environment, my car value could fall dramatically, and so am considering changing for petrol, now.

I know in some ways this is a 'piece of string' type question, but just looking for some insight into what others think about this... should I make the change or should I not let it worry me and keep running my current car, bearing in mind 1 of the main drivers behind this is the diesel issue (there is an insurance reduction too, but thats secondary)

Thanks, guys

And you think a petrol is kinder to the "environment" than a diesel car.

wgl2014

What car do you have what would you change it for and what mileage do you do?

forgotmyname

Too late its worth 75p if your lucky. If your local i will take pity on you and give you £1 for it. Be quick though because next week it will be worth 25p.

thescouselander

Strider590 wrote: »

And that exactly what "they" want you to do, they do this every now and then to give the automotive industry a boost. New cars = new debt and the 20% VAT (on average nearly £5000 on every new car sold) is the icing on the cake.

Agreed. This is a money raising exercise by the government and hard up councils. There's plenty of evidence to suggest NOX and particulate pollution is actually falling and has been for years. The best thing to do is not fall into the trap of handing over a load of VAT to the government by buying a new car.

http://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/579200/Emissions_airpollutants_statisticalrelease_2016_final.pdf

RickRastardly

Government may even offer a scrappage scheme for diesel cars. Two diesel cars are in the family at the moment, one of which has 0 Tax so I wont be doing anything at the moment.

System

thescouselander wrote: »

Agreed. This is a money raising exercise by the government and hard up councils. There's plenty of evidence to suggest NOX and particulate pollution is actually falling and has been for years. The best thing to do is not fall into the trap of handing over a load of VAT to the government by buying a new car.

This. If it was as severe as they're claiming then they'd be doing what the French are doing in Paris and outright banning cars from entering on certain days.

Jonesya

Cars lose value regardless but costs really mount up when you start switching cars - dealer profit margins etc.

If you're regularly driving into one of the major cities likely to be affected by the new controls then you might need to keep an eye on things and change the car earlier than otherwise but I'd wait until you know more to take an informed decision.

If not, then I'd keep it until it's worn out and replace with something cleaner.

I've got a not so clean diesel, i want to get as many years as possible out of it so when i switch, i switch to an EV with a decent range, rather than another diesel or petrol car.