Introduction
When you plan to buy a used car, you should also decide the type of engine- diesel or petrol- you want to buy it. A good starting point will be to get the PPSR check done from professional agencies like REVS Check. The PPSR check will provide you details about the car and its overall condition and help you decide if it is good for you or not.
Buying a diesel- or petrol-powered car depends on many factors, which are detailed below:
Commute Requirements
The choice of buying a petrol or diesel engine powered car depends greatly on your daily commute requirement. A diesel engine is more powerful and produces greater torque. They are best suited for SUVs and four-wheel drive cars which you should buy if you do a lot of off-road driving regularly. Petrol engines are mostly used in small cars and are ideal for the short city commute. If you want a sporty ride with the best acceleration, then you should always opt for a petrol engine-powered car.
Fuel Efficiency
Diesel engines are more fuel-efficient and provide you greater mileage. It helps to reduce the running cost of the car. It also saves you valuable time as you need not visit the gas station regularly. Since diesel is cheaper than petrol, it can save you considerable expenses in the long run.
Budget
You also need to consider your budget before choosing which engine type to buy. Diesel engine cars are costlier than petrol cars. You can expect a diesel car to cost at least 15-20% more than a petrol engine car. You need to pay extra for saving money on diesel (which is cheaper) and improved fuel efficiency.
Performance and Ride Quality
Generally, petrol engine cars are smoother and provide a more relaxed driving experience compared to their diesel counterparts. The petrol engine is usually more responsive and automatic transmission can enhance the ride quality even more. Diesel engine cars provide more torque and power. Petrol engines are better suited for smaller and compact city cars. These engines are lighter and more compact than diesel engines and can be easily fitted into small cars. If you prefer better acceleration and performance-oriented ride quality, then you should opt for a petrol engine-powered car.
Environmental Concerns
Diesel engines are likely to produce greater emissions which are considered to be bad for the environment. Diesel engines are less environment-friendly compared to petrol engines and thus many countries are making plans to phase them out strategically over time. Diesel engines also emit a greater quantity of Nitrogen Dioxide, which is a highly toxic and greenhouse gas. Nearly 80% of the total nitrogen dioxide emissions in Australia come from vehicles. You can reduce the emissions of these dangerous gases in the petrol engine by fitting a catalytic converter to your car’s exhaust system. This can reduce emissions by 30% compared to diesel engines. Hence, if you are conscious about saving the environment, you should prefer to buy cars that use petrol engines.
