Cost of diesel cars 'may take years' to recoup
Motor trades
29th January 2009
Diesel cars can take nearly three decades to become cost effective, a new study claims.
Research by auto experts Parker's found that a BMW 318 diesel could take up to 28 years to recoup the additional cost of diesel compared to other fuels.
Although diesel was once less expensive than petrol because it provides more miles - up to 30 per cent more - to the gallon, it is now more costly.
Parker's calculated it would take many years to recoup the pump price, along with the initial purchase price of the vehicle, reports the Daily Telegraph.
Edmund King, president of the AA, commented: "Burning a diesel is not an automatic switch to cut-price motoring."
On average, a diesel car costs around £1,400 more than an equivalent petrol model.
Parker's provides reviews of more than 28,500 cars and prices for every model of car since 1989.
