News Archive
Low-Mileage Diesel Drivers Wasting Money
May 7, 2012
A car valuation expert has revealed that drivers will need to travel 10,000 miles per year if they are looking to save money on running costs by opting to drive a diesel car.
Car valuation expert, Glass's Guide, undertook a study that showed that many car insurance holders are wasting money by buying diesel powered vehicles but not driving them far enough each year to make them an economical choice over petrol.
This study was carried out following a report that showed that more and more people are purchasing diesel cars in the UK. The report also revealed that diesel car sales outstripped the number of petrol cars sold for the first time in 2011.
With petrol prices on the increase many experts are suggesting that this may be one of the reasons for the increase in diesel powered cars as motorists are trying to save money. Other costs facing motorists include car insurance, road tax and maintenance costs.
In spite of this both new and used diesel cars are still more expensive to buy than petrol vehicles. The average price of a three-year-old family-sized diesel car is reportedly £2,000 more expensive than its petrol equivalent.
Adrian Rushmore, managing director for Glass's Guide, commented that diesel owners need to drive at least 10,000 miles or so to "recoup the cost."
Mr Rushmore added:
"We know the vast majority of private diesel owners in the UK drive less than 10,000 miles a year.
"This is the 'magic number' consumers should use to guide their choice - if you're driving 5,000 miles for example, you definitely don't want to buy a diesel on economic grounds."
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/fuel/9219452/Low-mileage-diesel-drivers-may-be-wasting-their-money.html