| ext">Most people who have been driving for some | | | | amount to service, however diesel engines may |
| time have a preference for either diesel or petrol | | | | require more oil changes than petrol, which will come at |
| engines. Whilst diesel engines have tended to triumph | | | | an extra cost. You should also consider the price of |
| over petrol engines for their fuel efficiency, petrol | | | | road tax, which is now based on official measures of |
| engines have offered a quieter and smoother drive. | | | | CO2 emissions. Diesel engines are more fuel efficient |
| However engineering developments have meant that | | | | and therefore they tend to produce less CO2 |
| the latest diesel engines can now be considered on | | | | emissions which means you could pay less for road |
| par with most petrol engines. Turbo chargers and | | | | tax than you would for a petrol car. However, Diesel |
| common rail injection means that diesel cars start | | | | engines do tend to produce more toxic emissions, |
| quicker and offer a more pleasant drive. And it is not | | | | which are not so good for the environment. When |
| just the engines that have been updated; diesel fuel | | | | starting your car diesel engines warm up faster then |
| has also been modified so that it is no longer as smelly | | | | petrol, which means that if you make short journeys |
| or difficult to refuel with. And diesel fuel still offers | | | | during which your engine has hardly any time to warm |
| more mileage for your money when compared to | | | | up, than a diesel would be better. But if you are |
| petroleum. | | | | spending more time driving around in traffic filled towns |
| So now the decision about whether to choose petrol | | | | then a petrol car would suit your needs better. Fuel |
| or diesel engine for your next car might be a tricky | | | | consumption for motorway driving is very similar for |
| one. Comparing the cost to buy and maintain is a good | | | | both petrol and diesel cars, so there is not much to |
| way to help make that decision easier. For example, | | | | difference between them in this case, but diesel cars |
| the purchase price of a brand new diesel car will | | | | are better for towing as they have more torque. |
| typically cost you more than a similar car with a petrol | | | | You should remember that petrol and diesel are not |
| engine but you should be able to sell the car for more | | | | the only options available. You can also buy cars that |
| when the time comes. | | | | are built as hybrids, which have been designed to have |
| Your motor insurance premiums is not necessarily | | | | a small petrol or diesel engine as well as an electric |
| dependant on whether you have a diesel or petrol car | | | | motor. It is the electronics in the car, which can run off |
| but as diesel cars cost a little more you will be insuring | | | | the electric motor dependant on how much power is |
| a more expensive vehicle, which could make a | | | | required. At the moment Hybrids are cheaper to run |
| difference to the amount you pay. Both diesel and | | | | than pure diesel or petrol engines but at present they |
| petrol engine cars should cost around the same | | | | are more expensive to buy. |