As I'm about to do a few more miles soon due to a new job, been considering the possible benefits of getting something else, in terms of cost effectiveness. My 1.4mpi Fabia doesn't seem to be all that brilliant on mpg. (I'd like to think I could cycle and get fit instead, but with my physique, not likely any time soon, lol.) As everyone seems to be into diesels, so naturally they were my first consideration.

Just came across this article which says you only see a cost benefit of owning a diesel if you do 10,000 or more miles. Work is not that far, and travel would total around 2,600 miles per year. I suspect worst case scenario is that I will do about 5,000 - 6,000 miles in a year. So by this ready-reckoner, I'd probably be best off sticking with petrol.

My only experience of driving a diesel to date is a 2.5td transit van. I enjoyed the low-down pull, and when the turbo kicked in. Not getting the same sort of pull as a petrol higher into the rev range was the main noticeable difference to me, which took some getting used-to. It seemed that the van used far less diesel than my 1.4mpi does petrol. Likewise, my experience of petrol cars is limited to mostly to the small Skoda OHV engines.

So... Are diesels really all that great compared with petrol in terms of cost efficiency?

This is the crux of that article

The figure is based on car values and fuel costs. It bases them on owning a vehicle for a typical three-year period and uses the price of three-year-old vehicles for its used car model.

If you are outside that 3 year period' date=' then you need to do your own sums.

For me, I never run that 3 year cycle, in fact I'm always working in the part of the market where running costs are #1, maintenance is #2 and depreciation doesn't matter at all. Yesterday all the cars I owned were diesel, today I bought a petrol, but that will be converted to diesel before it's used, so other than muddying my arguments it's not so relevant.[/size']

However as noted by that article, as values drop the price premium for diesel increases. To the point where some cars (thirsty ones) are twice the price for a diesel. No-one wants the petrols. Which is how I ended up buying one today.

It sounds like you'll be commuting 5 miles each way twice a day for 250 working days a year (2,500miles). Other considerations for you are the greater time for a diesel to reach operating temp (working heater etc) and possible problems with a DPF not getting hot enough to burn itself clean.

Edited 12 August, 201213 yr by Kiwibacon

mk1 mx5? Considering your only doing 5-6k miles a year its effectively a weekend car.

Personally dont see the point of splashing out something specifically for work unless work requires a certain 'image' or they're paying for a new car? either way i concur with Kiwibacon, petrol quicker to warm up, less likely to go pop on shorter journeys compared to diesels. I know my car doesn't like short 5-10min runs too often :think:, i tend to take the missus yaris (1.3 petrol) if its to town.

I don't think so, you only need one fault with a diesel and it can wipe out any saving in fuel consumption that you've made. Turbo, injectors, DMF, DPF and misfuelling faults are all too common on diesels these days.

There are plenty of small capacity, petrol engined cars out there that would return better fuel consumption than the Skoda 1.4 mpi engine, though you'll need to factor in the maintenance/repair costs. The mpi is a good simple reliable engine, easy to fix with relatively cheap maintenance and repair costs, if you're happy with your car, then stick with it.

Calculation is pretty easy to do.

petrol running costs at say 40 mpg= 8.8 mp.ltr @ 133p = 15.1 p per mile

diesel at say 50 mpg = 11.1 mp. ltr @ 137p = 12.3 p per mile.

so a saving of 2.8p per mile

If the diesel car cost you an extra £1000 and you get 1/2 of that back at trade in time then that is an additional cost of £500

Assuming all other running costs are the same then to get your £500 back you need to do 17857 miles. if you keep the car 3 year then that is about 6000 mile per year.

Simple enough to do this with your own figures

Edited 12 August, 201213 yr by slider

I've been considering the same calculations for the past week. I am doing in the regions of 10k miles a year and feel a diesel will benefit me.

Re sliders post, another factor to consider is yearly road tax costs, approx £20-30 for a diesel verses £120-130 for a small petrol. Mounts up over three years of motoring.

This is my first diesel and I've done only 15k in 19 months, would I rather have a petrol? No, what matters to me is what it's like to drive and I love the way the diesel drives.

There was an artical in Evo a couple of months ago regarding this, people only saw the running costs as petrol /Diesel they put in . One example was a BMW 530 Diesel and a 535 petrol ,both same year and mileage but the diesel car was £5000 more, a hell of a difference, and one which they would have to do a serious amount of mileage or own for a number of years to recoup it, and the 535 is a much more desirable drivers car .Petrol cars including the Octavia vRS even on a 57 plate are £2000 pounds difference .calculate how long you will own it as well as the mileage into the equitation .Diesels do make sense if you do high milage, but for me ( I cycle 12,000 miles , car £1500 miles )and the op way too expensive. Also nicer to drive a mapped petrol

With such low miles as well, you have to factor in other things like the possible DPF costs (etc. etc), as well as which fuel you prefer.

If you are doing less than 10,000 miles a year stick with petrol.

As others have said, you will pay more for a diesel car, the road tax will be less, but DPF's don't like short journeys, cam belt to change as opposed to to an HTP or TSI engine with a cam chain.

I run a diesel because I'm doing around 30,000 miles a year, the Wife has a petrol because she does 3,000 miles a year.

If there's nothing wrong with your car other than it's fuel economy. You need to consider if you will recoup the extra expense in buying a new car of any sort. For your sort of driving I'd definitely stick with petrol. I do 25,000 miles a year so have diesel, Mrs does 5,500 and a lot of short trips so definitely petrol for her.

There was an artical in Evo a couple of months ago regarding this, people only saw the running costs as petrol /Diesel they put in . One example was a BMW 530 Diesel and a 535 petrol ,both same year and mileage but the diesel car was £5000 more, a hell of a difference, and one which they would have to do a serious amount of mileage or own for a number of years to recoup it, and the 535 is a much more desirable drivers car .Petrol cars including the Octavia vRS even on a 57 plate are £2000 pounds difference .calculate how long you will own it as well as the mileage into the equitation .Diesels do make sense if you do high milage, but for me ( I cycle 12,000 miles , car £1500 miles )and the op way too expensive. Also nicer to drive a mapped petrol

But as per my post above remember you will get part of the additional cost of the diesel car back at trade in time.

Misread your sig then, thought you had a garage full of cars! Mate had a Mexico rally car in the 80s glorious car

As above really if you d o less than 10k diesel ain't worth it as some of the small petrol cars will now do 50 mpg, as regards cost of servicing and if something goes wrong , diesel engine is far superior IMO to petrol engines ,and much better longevity, however if you want a petrol engine do not buy European buy Japanese, if you want diesel go European IMO, European petrol engines( budget ones) are not as refined ( 1.4tsi) but its what you prefer but if you do the math and do some diggin on engines you'll be much more informed

Edited 12 August, 201213 yr by seboni121

I personally have always been of the opinion( based on an AA report a long time ago) that a diesel is only worth buying if you are doing more than 15k miles per year. The additional initial cost & fuel difference & kept for at least 3 years will make it worth while.

Buying one worked out very well for me.

It used to cost me £180 to do 1,000 miles in my Civic.

It now costs me £130 to do 1,000 miles in my Octavia, which has similar power/weight.

As I've done 11,000 miles since November, that's a tidy saving of £550. By the end of the year, I expect it'll be a lot more than that. The VED is also down from £240 to £130 for a year, so £110 saved each year. Tyres/servicing are the same. Insurance is also similar/same.

I personally have always been of the opinion( based on an AA report a long time ago) that a diesel is only worth buying if you are doing more than 15k miles per year. The additional initial cost & fuel difference & kept for at least 3 years will make it worth while.

My real life figures suggest it's closer to 10K when you factor in the fact that you don't lose all of the additional cost of the car purchase. I have kept some pretty accurate figure for the last 4 cars I have owned and also drive equivalent petrol and derv hire cars regularly - so getting a real grasp often true mpg difference of these models.

As I've done 11,000 miles since November, that's a tidy saving of £550. By the end of the year, I expect it'll be a lot more than that. The VED is also down from £240 to £130 for a year, so £110 saved each year. Tyres/servicing are the same. Insurance is also similar/same.

I do, approx. 15k/year, and my next car will be petrol, BMW advise 20k/year before you consider a diesel in their range. IMO the VED will become more for the diesel, this also meaning they will not hold on to there value as well. If we are to count the penny's the servicing for a diesel over time will cost more, capacity's are greater and due to the extra weight it will require brake pads/disc's & front tyres sooner.

I think the mileage gap is going to increase with time. .

I do, approx. 15k/year, and my next car will be petrol, BMW advise 20k/year before you consider a diesel in their range. IMO the VED will become more for the diesel, this also meaning they will not hold on to there value as well. If we are to count the penny's the servicing for a diesel over time will cost more, capacity's are greater and due to the extra weight it will require brake pads/disc's & front tyres sooner.

I think the mileage gap is going to increase with time. .

Never listen to salemen!! - do your own maths, they are pretty simple really.

My own real figures have convinced me that 10K per year is all you need to do to get your money back. Whether you want to drive a diesel or not is an entirely different question and may people will listen to only what they want to hear.

Edited 12 August, 201213 yr by slider

Some people just like getting a smelly, oily hand every time they fill up

Some people just like getting a smelly, oily hand every time they fill up

That'll be me then, you owe me some money Babs as it costs to be a fan of mine !

A lot of people choose diesel because of the lower fire risk in an accident.

Some people just like getting a smelly, oily hand every time they fill up

Are they a bit careless round your way?

I've done 10,000 miles in the Yeti since I got it on the 1st March and I've never had this problem. Never use one of those gloves either.

In the same time my wife has done 600 miles in her Yeti. I'm so glad she has a petrol!

I actually prefer filling up with diesel, when I fill up a petrol car it stinks!

My only regret with the diesel is the tuning.

If I'd gone for a 1.8Tsi 4x4 Yeti I'd be on 320bhp+ by now. Although it is suposed to be my sensible car...

With fuel tanks all plastic I dont think petrol is an issue for a fire

A lot of people choose diesel because of the lower fire risk in an accident.

People just slide across the diesel you spilt instead