Diesel cars are false economy, says car reviewer
Small diesel cars and vans are often not the bargain they appear to be, says the car review websitedogandlemon.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.”
“Multiple studies have concluded that the average driver is actually worse off with a diesel vehicle.”
“The AA has stated that diesels really only start to make sense for people travelling more than 15,000km per year. Our own studies show
that people travelling less than this are likely to actually lose money rather than save money by buying a diesel
vehicle.”
“The BBC’sTopGear magazine was even more pessimistic, suggesting customers avoid diesels unless they 'drive more than 25,000 steady,
company-car motorway miles per year.’”
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 the 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.”
ENDS