Misconception: "A car with a diesel engine costs less than a car with a gasoline engine."

Until recently, diesel was popular among the French. Today it is criticized for its significant NOx and particulate emissions, even though it emits less CO2 than a gasoline car. Therefore, fewer and fewer diesel vehicles are being sold. However, consumers continue to hesitate between the two powertrains as diesel has a long-term reputation for being cheaper.

Is it true: "A diesel car is cheaper than a gasoline car"?

FALSE, but ...

The idea that a diesel car is cheaper than a gasoline car is a flawed question. It all depends on what it is! You can compare the prices of a diesel car and a gasoline car on four different criteria:

Le price from the car;
Le fuel price ;
Le service price ;
Le priceCar insurance.

We can combine the last three when talking about cost of use. As for the purchase price, diesel is more expensive than a gasoline car. If the car is equal, it is necessary to calculate minimum 1500 € more details buy a new diesel car.

Then there is the question of the cost to the user. Today the price of diesel fuel remains cheaper than gasoline, even with the recent increase in prices. In addition, a diesel vehicle consumes about 15% less fuel than a gasoline engine. Diesel is often considered to benefit from 20 kilometer per year: in the future, diesel is of interest only to heavy riders!

When it comes to maintenance, we usually read that a diesel car is much more expensive than a gasoline car. For a recent car, this is not the case: contrary to popular belief, the maintenance cost of a latest generation car is relatively equivalent for most models.

However, it is also true that a poorly maintained diesel car costs much more in the long run. It is therefore important to use your diesel engine correctly as breakdowns can cost you 30-40% more than a gasoline car.

Finally, in recent years, there has been a development in auto insurance for diesel vehicles. Until recently it was higher From 10 to 15% for a diesel car. This is due to the higher rating of diesel vehicles, a greater risk of theft due to easier resale and higher repair costs. Note, however, that this price differential changes as diesel vehicle sales decline.

In short, buying a car with a gasoline engine is cheaper than a car with a diesel engine. Diesel engine parts are more expensive to service, but they are more reliable vehicles with less engine wear. In general, diesel fuel remains more interesting than gasoline, but diesel fuel is not attractive to small road users (<20 km / year). Finally, when it comes to insurance, the balance is still in favor of gasoline.