Diesel v petrol: A matter of preference and price

With constant fluctuations and recent rises in petrol prices it's no wonder that the British motorist is feeling hard done by, particularly as the wholesale cost of petrol fell from 34p to 32p between January and February.

Yet according to The AA despite the dip in wholesale prices retailers have continued to increase prices, forcing the hard pressed UK motorist to fork out around 112p and in some cases as much as 124.9p per litre.  Although a percentage of the increase can be attributed to the reintroduction of VAT (17.5%) at the beginning of this year, there is a reluctance to pass on savings to the consumer. So, maybe it's time to reopen the debate on the merits of diesel versus petrol.

In contrast to the fluctuating petrol prices, figures provided by the AA show the price of diesel in the UK has remained on an even keel at around 113.84p, give or take a couple of pennies. Although diesel is usually the more expensive option in the UK, surprisingly due to petrol price hikes, in some areas it's currently cheaper than petrol. Of course choosing between diesel and petrol isn't all about the miles to the gallon (or litre), personal preference is still a major factor.

Advocates of diesel consider it's better to pay a slightly higher purchase price for a diesel engine, as it's usually off-set against better fuel economy, particularly if you use the car regularly. When it comes to trading up, diesel cars hold their residual value against comparable petrol models with the same mileage. Tax is also lower as diesel engines are considered friendlier to the environment due to lower CO2 emissions (but emit higher nitrogen oxide levels). Plus although service costs can be a little higher, they generally more reliable and need fewer visits to the garage.

On the other hand, a determined and considerable number of drivers still prefer a petrol car professing better performance and a quicker and quieter engine. When all said and done, there are arguments for and against both petrol and diesel – so it's up to you to pay your money and make your choice. Alternatively, why not settle the argument once and for all and go electric?!

For impartial information on diesel and petrol engines try the following websites:

Which? Car review  

What Car

Honest John:

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