Small diesel cars and vans are often not the bargain they appear to be, says the car review website dogandlemon.com.
Dogandlemon.com editor Clive Matthew-Wilson says:
“As the price of petrol increases, some motorists are looking to diesels as a way of saving money. Sadly, a diesel is false economy for most motorists.”
“Diesel-powered vehicles are generally far more expensive to buy, because they’re more expensive to build at the factory. The higher upfront cost means you’ll be several thousand more dollars out of pocket before you’ve even driven the vehicle.”
A recent Australian test of a 2-litre diesel Ford Focus versus a 2-litre petrol Ford Focus concluded: ‘it would take anywhere between 3.5 years…and 8.5 years …[merely] to pay off the [extra cost of the car fitted with a diesel engine]'.
Matthew Wilson says that diesels make more sense for commercial drivers, because the extra costs are tax-deductible.
However, Matthew Wilson warns:
“Many modern diesels have lost the sturdy reliability that you could take for granted on diesels thirty years ago. As a general rule, the smaller and higher tech the engine, the more problems it gives.
“My advice to small car and van 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.”
