Will a diesel Volkswagen Golf be more economical than the petrol version?

New Golf 1.4TSI petrol or new 1.6TDI diesel? I’ve done the maths. For both cars after three years at 8000 miles per year at urban mpg (43 petrol and 62 diesel) and local fuel prices I’ve calculated petrol fuel at £3402 and diesel at £2501, a difference of £901. Adding £900 in new price difference but saving on road tax of £100 per year totalling £300 I am better off by this £300. After three years I expect to be £100 better off due to no road tax, plus £300 on fuel saving every year thereafter. Is this a sensible calculation?

Asked on 16 March 2013 by RA, Cambridgeshire

Answered by Honest John

The 1.6TDI engine is prone to DPF problems when used for repeated short runs from cold. The 1.4TSI 122 is a very sweet engine, but no reason not to go for the 1.2TSI 105 SE. Especially if you plan on keeping it longer than years, after which point other diesel problems are prone to arise.

Tags: short journeys fuel economy dpf petrol or diesel?

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