It’s not as simple as which one out of petrol or diesel is cheaper at the petrol station. This is because there are additional elements which contribute to the cost of running your petrol or diesel car. In addition, similar to many elements when it comes to cars, it doesn’t necessarily mean one is better than the other. The answer is that one may be better suited to you.
Here are the differences between petrol and diesel cars, to help you make a more informed decision on your next purchase.
Cost
Cost-efficiency can be one of the main components when considering which car to choose. Diesel cars tend to be more suited, and cheaper to run, for those who travel large distances. Whereas, if you travel less than around 9300 miles a year, your best option is a petrol car.
Diesel cars are better for lengthier drives due to the fact diesel costs less at the pump. While diesel cars do cost on average £1500 more upon initial purchase, this amount is quickly saved over the years you use the car. Diesel is slightly cheaper, however, the most cost saved is from diesel cars being more fuel efficient. You simply don’t need to fill up as much as petrol. Car experts state you could save as much as £900 a year on fuel by purchasing a diesel car as opposed to a petrol car. This means in less than just two years, you’ve saved the same amount as the initial purchase difference between petrol and diesel cars.
It’s important to note there are new rules being implemented in the UK which will affect specific diesel cars registered since April 1 2017.
Those diesel vehicles emitting 91-100g/km of C02 will cost £145 tax for the first year, in comparison to £125 for petrol vehicles. This amount dramatically increases for those vehicles that emit between 131 and 150g/km to £515, which would only cost £205 for petrol cars that emit the same amount of C02.
After the first year, all vehicles under £40,000, regardless of type, will pay a set tax rate of £145. Those £40,000 and over will need to pay an annual wealth tax rate of £465 for the first five years.
Maintenance
The downside to diesel cars is that it tends to cost more to maintain and repair diesel engines than that of a petrol car. The actual price of new parts and the labour costs involved are higher, and there are additional components which petrol vehicle owners simply don’t need to replace.
The differences in maintenance costs shouldn’t have an effect if you purchase a new car with a warranty period. However, purchasing an older diesel car increases the frequency of repairs and these repairs can cost significantly more than petrol car repairs. This can actually outweigh the savings on fuel.
Emissions
Petrol cars produce more HC and C02, a greenhouse gas that is predominantly linked to having huge effects on climate change. When a petrol vehicle warms up, it also produces a by-product called CO, or carbon monoxide.
When it comes to NOx, it’s dependent – these amounts are higher in a new diesel vehicle than that of a new petrol vehicle, although in the long-run, petrol vehicles produce more.
Diesel vehicles generate more Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM), which essentially describes soot particulates and other particles in the air, as well as hydrocarbons, which have been connected to respiratory problems.
For this reason, diesel car owners pay the same rate as petrol car owners when it comes to emission-based road tax after the first year.
Depreciation
To sum it up, if you are after a larger 4WD or are planning on doing high mileage, it would be best to look into a diesel-powered car as opposed to a petrol-powered alternative. Another defining reason for this is that large diesel 4WD’s depreciate at a slower rate than petrol versions. Electric cars or hybrid versions are expectedly the best options for the environment, however, they may not be within your budget.
While it’s important to undertake further research before you make the investment, we hope these tips will help you understand the difference between petrol and diesel cars.