Small diesel cars are not the bargain they appear to be, says the car buyers’ Dog & Lemon Guide.

Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson says:

“Small diesels often attract buyers who are looking for the most economical car to run. However, the simple fact is, the average buyer would be far better off with a petrol car.”

“Diesel vehicles suit commercial operators such as courier drivers. They don’t suit the average car buyer. For the private motorist, a diesel vehicle won’t start to pay off until they’re doing really, really high mileages. In fact, by buying a small diesel vehicle, most private motorists are actually losing on the deal.”

“The RACV recently calculated that a diesel Hyundai i30 is $5.71 more expensive per week to run than its petrol equivalent.”

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“When you add on the fact that most diesel cars cost considerably more than the equivalent petrol car, both to purchase and maintain, it becomes clear that diesels aren’t such a bargain after all.”

Matthew-Wilson is particularly scathing about European diesel vehicles:

“Recently, car buyers have developed an unhealthy attraction to European diesels for fuel economy reasons. However, car buyers should be aware that European cars generally have a poor track record for reliability, and when they break, they often break your bank account as well.”

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However, says Matthew-Wilson, the biggest losers when it comes to diesel vehicles are often the ones who buy cheap old diesels that are out of guarantee.

“There’s no such thing as a cheap old diesel. Whatever you save in upfront money you’ll most likely end up paying, plus interest, at your local garage. A diesel engine can cost up to $30,000 to rebuild, and the second hand diesel motor at the local wrecking yard is likely to be just about as worn out as the engine you are replacing.”

“My advice to small vehicle buyers is to avoid diesels altogether unless you’re a commercial operator and/or unless you’re going to be driving really, really high mileages. Otherwise you’re likely to lose more than you save.”