Petrol Or Diesel, Which Is Better For You?
The debate between petrol and diesel is still ongoing, and which one is better. In our guide we go over the pros and cons of each to help you decide which is best to go for when you come to buy your next car.
Pros of petrol:
Lower price
Most of the time, a petrol car is cheaper to run, but is less economical than diesel. You can see the latest 2022 fuel prices on sites such as the AA and Petrol Prices. Supermarket petrol prices are currently at an average of 143.0 p/litre.
Good for shorter trips
If you need your car for making little trips around town, to the supermarket or to a family that lives locally, a petrol is a great option.
Smoother drive
Generally, petrol cars are quieter and give a smoother ride compared to diesels. Whereas diesel cars tend to be noisier and have a slower response time.
Pros of diesel:
Cheaper tax
Vehicle tax prices are calculated based on the CO2 emissions that come from a car. CO2 emissions are directly linked to how much fuel an engine uses and because diesel cars are more fuel efficient, you can expect the tax on a diesel car to be a little less than that of a petrol.
Better fuel economy
Diesel cars often give better mpg compared to petrol cars due to the higher energy content in diesel fuel.
Better for longer journeys
Due to their better fuel economy, diesels are often preferred for longer journeys. Diesels also accomplish greater power with lower engine revs unlike petrol too, making them perfect for long motorway journeys.
Cons of petrol:
Higher CO2 emissions
Surprisingly, petrol engines do indeed emit more CO2 compared to their diesel counterparts. This higher level of CO2 can also lead to increased tax rates, especially for cars registered pre 2017.
Get fewer miles per gallon (mpg)
You’ll probably find you use more fuel in return for fewer miles on long journeys. Petrol cars may be cheaper to fuel but you could find it’ll use it a lot more, resulting in worse fuel efficiency over diesel cars.
Cons of diesel:
Diesel cars are generally more expensive
Diesel cars and engines usually have extra technology fitted to help reduce emissions. Modern diesel engines contain selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems which require AdBlue- a combination of urea and deionised water that mixes in with the exhaust gases.
Both this technology and extras cost extra money!
Potentially more expensive to repair
In order to reduce emissions from diesel vehicles, diesel particulate filters(DPF’s) capture and store exhaust soot.
The DPF can easily become blocked if you drive short distances at lower speeds regularly, as the excess soot must be periodically burned off to regenerate the filter. If this happens, they can be very expensive to fix.
Cause poorer air quality
While the CO2 emissions are better when it comes to diesel engines, they do emit a high concentration of nitrogen oxide due to the soot which can increase health issues.
Which is better?
If you cover or need to cover a lot of miles then you’ll receive greater mpg and fuel economy from a diesel. Whereas if you just require a city runabout, a petrol car can provide you with an economical, smooth ride.
It’s worth keeping in mind that petrol and diesels are gradually being phased out from 2030 as per the government's new emissions regulations.
Be sure to browse our used cars and vans for sale in Derby, all of which undergo a 108 point check and are available for home delivery or collection. We also have a dedicated section for eco-friendly cars to browse through too.
If you’re looking to sell your current car, you can receive a free, no pressure quote on our website.
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