Buying a new car but concerned over fuel type

Mr_M_Cox

Hi all,

I currently drive an 11 plate diesel mondeo and am looking to get something new.

Everything I see and hear in the press suggests that I should be avoiding diesel, if only for the charges I will face in years to come from congestion and clean air zones.

What I can't avoid is the fuel economy of diesel. Certainly appealing

So I guess my question is, for a 2016+ old car, should I consider another diesel or move over to petrol?

Thanks.

neilmcl

You haven't said what sort of annual mileage you do and the types of journey.

Mr_M_Cox

I tend to average 10,000 a year and would expect a 2-3 hour round trip on average once a month. Rest of the time commuting and inner city all under 30min journeys.
However I am more concerned over how sensible it is to go diesel at all now rather than if its sensible in terms of economy etc. My worry is charges, restrictions and resale value over maybe the next 5 years of diesel in general.

DUTR

Mr_M_Cox wrote: »

I tend to average 10,000 a year and would expect a 2-3 hour round trip on average once a month. Rest of the time commuting and inner city all under 30min journeys.
However I am more concerned over how sensible it is to go diesel at all now rather than if its sensible in terms of economy etc. My worry is charges, restrictions and resale value over maybe the next 5 years of diesel in general.

Modern petrol cars of that size are not thirsty, diesel about 10-20% better in real terms.

Richard53

Mr_M_Cox wrote: »

I tend to average 10,000 a year and would expect a 2-3 hour round trip on average once a month. Rest of the time commuting and inner city all under 30min journeys.
However I am more concerned over how sensible it is to go diesel at all now rather than if its sensible in terms of economy etc. My worry is charges, restrictions and resale value over maybe the next 5 years of diesel in general.

To answer your question: diesels are going to get less popular over time and ultimately you will have a problem selling them. This may well be over the next 8-10 years, however.


To answer the point you think is less important: if the majority of your mileage is inner city/commuting/short journeys then a modern diesel is definitely not for you. A good run once a month won't counterbalance the short stuff.


We live in a rural area and my wife's mileage is nearly all local A roads driven at getaway car speeds. Even so, I have to take it out for a spanking every couple of weeks to put out the blasted DPF light. That's a 2016 VAG diesel with all the modern kit. She's getting a petrol next time.

Mr_M_Cox

Thanks for the great replies.

Any other input would be awesome.

DrEskimo

Have you considered electric?

10,000 miles of diesel costing £1.30 and averaging 60MPG would cost about £950 per year.

10,000 miles in ab electric car averaging 4miles/kWh and being charged at about £0.08 using EV energy tariffs would cost you just ~£220!

Of course it will depend on your budget, what car type you need, if you can charge easily at home, etc. but thought I would plant the seed...!

DUTR

DrEskimo wrote: »

Have you considered electric?

10,000 miles of diesel costing £1.30 and averaging 60MPG would cost about £950 per year.

10,000 miles in ab electric car averaging 4miles/kWh and being charged at about £0.08 using EV energy tariffs would cost you just ~£220!

Of course it will depend on your budget, what car type you need, if you can charge easily at home, etc. but thought I would plant the seed...!

Plus any battery rental.

Car_54

Richard53 wrote: »

To answer your question: diesels are going to get less popular over time and ultimately you will have a problem selling them. This may well be over the next 8-10 years, however[ /QUOTE]
But a few years ago we were being told the opposite. Predictions are always tricky.

DrEskimo

DUTR wrote: »

Plus any battery rental.

I don't pay a battery rental. In fact the majority of EVs don't.

daveyjp

Depends what type of car you need.

For 10k I wouldn't bother with a diesel.

If anything will do any small modern petrol car will do excellent mpg.

If you need something larger consider a hybrid.