In the last 18 months I have seen an increasing amount of our customers change their current petrol vehicles for diesels. When I ask why the most popular response I get is that a diesel will be cheaper to run. But is this true and if it is how much will it save you? It is understandable with inflated fuel costs and increasing living cost that when changing their car people would like to see their money going that little bit further. However I have noticed a preconception that a lot people associate diesel with being cheaper. So in this month’s blog from AZ Autos I set out to calculate if diesel really is cheaper.

For my example I have taking a 2006 Ford Focus. Both engines are 1600cc, both have a 0 – 60mph time of about 11 seconds and both have a top speed of about 115 mph. The only difference being the diesel engine boasts a combined fuel consumption of 58.9 miles per gallon, where as the petrol engine is a little less at 42.2 miles per gallon. I am assuming that the new owner will be driving an average mileage of about 12,000 miles per annum and they will keep their vehicle for 3 years. But which vehicle will be cheaper to run? To truly gauge the running cost of a new vehicle I think you need to take a number of things into consideration, miles per gallon is important however you can’t forget about fuel cost, depreciation, road tax and servicing costs.

*All costs are for the 3 years of running

So as you can see they were right to be replacing their cars with a diesel model. Even though the initial outlay was more (in this instance by £1,000) and the depreciation is a bit steeper, due to the fuel costs and taxing cost the diesel focus came out just over £1,000 cheaper to own and run over the three years. With diesels cars getting smoother, more fuel efficient and performing better I would say that a diesel is a smart choice for your next vehicle.

David Alvarez, AZ Autos