When buying a car, there’s a whole list of factors we take into account that helps us to choose. One of these many factors is whether the car runs on petrol or diesel – a key point that can be the deciding factor for many.

In this handy guide, we’ll look into the difference between petrol and diesel, the pros and cons of each and which could be the right option for you.

What are the pros of petrol cars?

Many people opt for petrol cars as they can often be cheaper than diesel alternatives. Petrol engines are smaller but still pack a lot of power, and one of the main differences between a petrol engine and a diesel engine is that petrol engines can be tuned to make more power without the use of a turbocharger.

Petrol engines are also made with cheaper and more readily available parts, so it’s easy to repair or replace them. They are also quieter and smoother than diesel engines, and tend to emit fewer pollutants if they are maintained and looked after well. You’ll also find that petrol costs less than diesel does at your local fuel station.

What are the cons of petrol cars?

Whilst it’s true that petrol costs a little less than diesel, overall costs over a long term can add up for petrol users. The main reason for this is diesel engines tend to last a lot longer than their petrol counterparts and require a lot less maintenance.

Petrol engines are subject to impurities and can clog up rather quickly, and if they are not serviced regularly they can deteriorate a lot faster than diesel engines.

Diesel cars are overall more fuel efficient than petrol cars as they don’t need to be serviced as often and so you’ll be spending a little less on maintenance.

What are the pros of diesel cars?

In general, diesel cars are known for having much higher fuel efficiency than other cars, and so they’re perfect for those who like and frequent driving long stretches such as on dual carriageways and motorways. 

The engines are also significantly different to that of petrol cars, and they require a lot less maintenance as they do not require spark plugs. Diesel cars offer owners the option of saving money on maintenance and tune-ups due to this – which is a massive relief as this can be quite expensive.

Diesel engines have a lot of torque – it’s why trucks and other similar vehicles have diesel engines and they allow them to have a more powerful start even after a complete stop, and also allows drivers to haul heavy objects without much difficulty. Diesel engines are a lot more powerful and also last much longer than any other.

One other major advantage of diesel engines compared to petrol engines is that they give off less carbon emissions and so are more friendly to the environment.

What are the cons of diesel cars?

Diesel prices are much more expensive compared to petrol and so it’s understandable why people prefer to go for cars with petrol engines as they can be a little more cost effective.

Another key reason as to why people prefer petrol engines is because they are generally a lot quieter and smoother than diesel engines. Diesel cars are notoriously famous for their loud engines, and this can also cause problems for drivers as the noise may confuse and prevent them from detecting any problems with their car as engine noise can signal anything wrong with the car.

Plus, whilst they do produce less carbon emissions, they still produce other dangerous substances that are harmful to the atmosphere, the environment and the general public. Due to this, they are not ideal for driving in populated areas due to the harm they can cause.

Is it cheaper to insure a petrol or diesel car?

Insurance providers take many different details about your car into account when pricing up your premium, and the fuel type is definitely one of them. However, because there are so many other factors that contribute to the cost of your insurance, it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly how much of an impact the fuel type will have on this cost.

The general belief is that petrol cars are probably a little less cheaper to insure, mainly because diesel cars – specifically the newer ones – have fancy filters and emission busting systems which can make them more expensive to repair and maintain. This will then of course lead to higher insurance premiums.

Find out more about car insurance here.