Which Fuel is Best – Diesel or Petrol?

The debate regarding which fuel-type is better, diesel or petrol is one that has been going on for many years. With advancements in motoring technology and engineering there is a finer line between these two fuels than ever as both offer a number of benefits, a smooth ride and with prices at the pump being what they, there is rarely very much between them when you compare the litre prices.

There are some differences however so what are they and how do you choose the best for you?

Forget for a minute everything you know about clunky diesel cars fifteen years ago or indeed petrol consumption back then too. Times have changed and nowadays which you choose will largely come down to personal preference.

Frugal Fuel Choices

Previously a diesel car was often the first choice for those looking to minimise their fuel costs. Before too long however the diesel car’s popularity gave manufacturers the leeway they needed to up the price of the diesel models which has resulted in a cheaper car to run costing you more outright. While some might argue that the initial cost will eventually be offset by the reduction in the price and economy of the diesel fuel this would depend on how often you used the car.

With car technology developing daily petrol engines are now super-efficient compared to earlier models and cheaper petrol has tightened the gap between the two fuels price and value-wise.

If making the choice between two cars that have two different fuel types the most frugal choice would depend entirely on the type of car, the engine size and how the car will be run. A diesel engine for example tends to be more economical fuel-wise, working efficiently and using less fuel. If a driver uses their car regularly this might be a consideration despite the fact that diesel at the pump tends to cost more.

Car Tax and Maintenance Costs

The bane of every driver’s life is the cost of keeping his or her vehicle maintained and on the road. With car taxes, insurance and servicing costs rising it pays to consider the fuel type a car uses before buying it as this might make a difference when it comes to lowering costs such as these.

Being a more efficient engine overall a diesel engine usually boasts lowers CO2 levels and as cars registered after March 2001 are taxed on their emissions as opposed to their engine size diesels do tend to be cheaper to tax than expected.

The difference between servicing costs and insurance between the two depends once more on the make, model, the driver of the vehicle and how it is used with neither fuel type being particularly cheaper. 

Which is Better?

The honest answer would be both and neither. Both fuel types have pros and cons and benefits depend entirely on individual circumstances. When weighing up your options discuss your driving habits with an expert and look at up to date information on the type of cars you are considering buying.

Which Fuel Type is Bad For Your Vehicle?

The simple answer to this is when you put the wrong type of fuel in the wrong car. While this might sound like a ridiculous thing to do industry statistics suggest that someone puts the wrong fuel in their car every three minutes. This type of error could work out extremely costly, especially if having contaminated the fuel tank the driver turns the engine over, causing damage to the engine.