Diesel Isn’t Dead, Just Got Scared Away For A Moment

Panic isn't over just put on hold

Good news last month from Cap hpi, especially for those currently owing and driving a diesel car, myself included. As the Automotive Data giant announced that that there is little or no resistance from consumers to buying used diesel. Indeed, on average diesel values dropped by 0.7% in April’s Black Book live product, whereas petrol dropped by 0.9%.

Great and somewhat surprising news for both those who have watched the re-sale value of their diesel plummet in recent years following on from VWs ‘Diesel-gate’ and moreover for the UK government who have taken a firm stance on diesel fuel, in the same way the Church takes a firm stance on Satan.

So what then has caused this turn-around?

Well it might be caused by fear itself.

When your car drops in price, almost falsely owing to a maelstrom of ‘bad-news’ stories from varying sources, none of which can agree on what exactly makes diesel bad, jus that it is, then you are less inclined to sell or part-exchange it, preferring to hold on to it, which no doubt has a knock-on effect on new car sales figures. I’m using me here as an example, when your part-ex valuation is lower than what you owe on the car, no matter how you look at it, you stay put.

So whilst there is some good news in this story, diesel has dropped less than petrol, we’re not talking about great news, like a rise! Diesel drivers enjoy many benefits from owing and driving one, increased fuel economy derived from higher thermodynamic efficiency of the engine is one, deliberately bucking the trend is another, however as petrol engines become more economical and tax saving begin to diminish is there really a benefit?

Seems not according to Which with a diesel Ford Focus taking 7 years to become cheaper than its petrol option.

So let’s (all us diesel owners) take solace in this bit of good news and fingers crossed for some more.

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