The Differences Between Petrol and Diesel

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The Differences Between Petrol and Diesel

When it comes to investing in a new car, one of the questions that gets asked a lot is ‘diesel or petrol?’ and more often than not, you’ll get a variety of answers from a range of sources. Some will say diesel is by far the better option, while others will say there is truly no difference.

But truth be told, it’s all about what you want. Consider your budget, your current circumstances and your preferences, then you can decide which option is better for you.

We’ve put together some information detailing the differences between the two, to help you make the right choice.

Are diesel cars cheaper to run?

In terms of fuelling, initially diesel is more expensive than unleaded fuel. However, while you are paying a larger amount to fill your tank, you can get more miles per gallon from a diesel car than you can a petrol. So, in the long run, it works out cheaper to fuel a diesel car if you drive sensibly.

When it comes to servicing and maintenance costs, the difference between a petrol car and a diesel isn’t much. Typically, diesel cars don’t need many repairs in comparison to a petrol car, however when they do need a repair, it is likely to be a little more expensive than the repair on a petrol car.

Are diesel engines bad for the environment?

Diesel engines tend to emit more CO2 emissions and noxious gases per litre of fuel than petrol-powered engines. Despite this, diesels use less fuel, therefore a diesel engine will emit less CO2 emissions over time.

Do diesel engines last longer?

Yes, it is very common for a diesel engine to last longer than a petrol engine.

Are diesel cars more expensive to insure?

Due to the worth of the car, diesels tend to be more expensive to insure than petrol cars. This is because it tends to cost more to repair a diesel car and if a diesel car is stolen, there is a higher overall price to replace it.

Are petrol cars faster than diesel cars?

Yes, petrol powered cars are commonly faster than diesel powered cars and can be more exciting to drive!

Are diesel cars louder than petrol?

Yes, diesel cars are noisier than petrol cars. This is due to the way the fuel is burnt into energy. The combustion in a diesel engine is much more violent, resulting in higher vibrations. Thus, making the noise of a diesel engine louder.

Why is diesel fuel so expensive?

There are numerous reasons for diesel fuel being more expensive than petrol/unleaded fuel. For example, the tax on diesel is much more expensive, there’s a much higher demand for diesel in other countries and sometimes, seasonality can impact the price – when the demand for heating oil increases in winter, the price of diesel tends to increase too.