When you’re looking to buy a new car, it can be difficult to know where to start. With a range of options available to you, researching what kind of vehicle would best suit your needs is essential. For example, do you need space for your family? Or do you need a car that is efficient for driving around a city? If you’re looking for a car that is efficient and long-lasting, a diesel car could be the best option for you.
Deciding on a car most suited to your requirements is the first step. Next, you need to decide how you’re going to finance your new vehicle. With CCJ car finance, you can be approved for a loan even if you’ve found it difficult in the past because of bad credit. Below, we’ll take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of buying a diesel car in 2022.
Fuel economy
Diesel engines are more efficient than their Petrol equivalent, so if reducing your emissions is something that you’re conscious of, choosing a diesel car could be a great option for you, especially if you’re not ready to take the plunge on an electric model. Diesel cars generate more power from less fuel, meaning that you can travel further for less – you can travel around 20-30% further in a diesel car than you would be able to if you chose a petrol counterpart. Diesel engines can also be powered by alternative fuels, like biodiesel for example, with no modification necessary. If you’re looking for a car with an engine that will get you to where you need to be using less fuel, a vehicle with a diesel engine may be the best option for you.
Cost less to maintain
When it comes to diesel cars, you will find that in the long run, they require a lot less maintenance than a petrol-powered vehicle. They still need regular checks, but because of their greater energy efficiency and fuel economy, there tends to be less wear and tear on the engine. You might find that a diesel car is more expensive to buy, this is because diesel engines tend to be built stronger than a petrol engine and in the long run, could save you money when it comes to maintenance.
Beneficial for long-distance journeys
Diesel cars have a higher fuel efficiency than their petrol counterparts, it can get your further on less – which is why it can be beneficial if you’re regularly driving longer journeys. Diesel engines need longer runs to keep their system working properly, so it is important that if you’re buying a diesel car, you’re able to take it for a long run out now and again. If you’re thinking about buying a vehicle for slower, shorter journeys, it would be better to choose a petrol or electric car, as you wouldn’t be able to get the full benefit from your diesel engine, and it could end up costing you more over time than a standard engine.
If you’re regularly travelling longer distances for work or holidays, another advantage of choosing a diesel-fuelled vehicle is that it has more torque than a petrol car, meaning it will give you enough power to pull caravans or trailers with ease.
With the advantages that a diesel car can bring, also come the disadvantages – and although the diesel engine can be beneficial depending on what you use your car for, it also has a few disadvantages that you should consider before making your final decision.
Cost more to buy
In general, diesel cars can set you back a higher price initially than your standard petrol car. This is because they have additional parts to help give them the power and efficiency that cars with petrol engines don’t need. Diesel cars depreciate much slower than petrol cars, so it is worth weighing up whether spending a little more money on a diesel car that will last longer is economically more sensible in the long run. If your car won’t be going far or you don’t drive often, choosing a petrol car is best.
Cost more to repair
Although diesel cars don’t tend to need repairs as often as petrol cars, when they do, it is more expensive. If you’re looking for a car to use for a long time, the cost you pay for servicing a diesel car could balance out to be the same or less than if you were using a petrol car for the same amount of time. If you’re looking to keep your car for a short period of time, the servicing costs for petrol and a diesel car will likely work out the same.
Clean air zones in cities
In 2022, more clean air zones are being put into place in cities across the UK, which may cause problems for diesel drivers. These rules mean that vehicles that do not meet the environmental standards will be charged to enter a certain area. If you’re using your diesel car to travel long distances, it is advantageous to check if you’ll be charged for driving in one of these clean air zones. It is also worth noting that diesel engines in general don’t do well with the start-stop nature of city driving, so if you use your car to travel through cities regularly, it might be worth switching to a hybrid or electric car.
