There’s still plenty of time before the sale of petrol and diesel cars are banned forever. But which of the oil burners suits you best?
There’s at least another 11 years before the planned ban on the manufacture and sale of fossil-fuelled (petrol and diesel) cars comes into play. And even then, millions of drivers don’t think they will be ready for a complete switchover to electric vehicles (EVs).
So don’t give up on oil burners just yet.

In fact thousands of motorists said that’s exactly their way of thinking in a recent survey. The findings, from sustainable fuels developer SUSTAIN, revealed that more than half (52%) of UK drivers believe the current deadline for ending the sale of new internal combustion engines (ICEs) in 2035 will not be met.
And 59% of those questioned also said that they would keep their petrol or diesel car going for as long as possible – a quarter said they would buy a new ICE vehicle just before any ban kicks in and then run the car for at least another 10 years.
So if you are not yet ready to join the electric highway and are happy to stick with petrol or diesel for the time being, we're here to answer the question, petrol or diesel car?
More than half of all new cars sold is a petrol variant as diesel models aren’t as popular as they used to be. However, DERV (diesel engine road vehicle) fuel still has its place in many motorists’ minds.
It all comes down to what you are looking for in terms of price, economy, performance and general driveability. Fancy a sporty, lively drive? Petrol’s for you then. Need excellent fuel economy? Perhaps you should look at a diesel. Searching for a ‘greener’ car with fewer nitrogen oxide emissions? Petrol wins again.
So what are the factors to consider?:
Initial price: Diesel cars will usually cost more than their petrol cousins when buying one new. Much of this is down to the technology that drives them, which can cost more. The engine, which is specially designed to operate at high pressure for example, costs more to manufacture. Verdict: petrol.

Running costs: in terms of insurance, there’s not much in it. Diesels might be slightly costlier because of the initial value and the higher price of spare parts. Servicing costs will also be similar but, due to the parts potentially needed, a diesel car could come out slightly more expensive to look after. Verdict: petrol.
Fuel efficiency: diesel cars are nearly always more fuel efficient than petrol so you’ll get greater economy. It’s because the leisurely way in which a diesel engine operates means it’s just sipping fuel, especially when cruising. That greater mileage will outweigh the higher price of diesel fuel. Verdict: diesel.
AdBlue: run a diesel and you will probably also need to add AdBlue into the car’s fuel system every six months or so. It helps to keep down air pollution from diesel exhausts and although it only costs around £15 for 10 litres, the money all adds up. Verdict: petrol.

Engine speed: diesels run at a lower engine speed (revs) than petrol cars. This makes the whole experience more relaxed and less frenetic than in a petrol car plus the slower engine revolution equals greater fuel economy. Verdict: diesel.
Noise: years ago, starting a diesel car, especially on a cold morning, would be like firing up a lorry or a London taxi. Today they are much more refined, but there is still some clatter to be heard which you won’t get on a petrol model. Verdict: petrol.
Pulling power (torque): diesels have greater torque than petrol engines which makes them more potent and willing to do the hard work. Consequently diesels make great towing cars, which is good news for caravan and trailer owners. The willing performance also make diesels excellent as motorway and long distance tourers. Verdict: diesel.
Particulates: diesel engines create tiny particles of soot which only get burned off when the engine is running at high temperature for longish periods. Engine filters can get blocked if the car is not run occasionally in this way (ie if it’s only used for short distances around town). If you need a suburban runaround, a diesel won’t be for you. Verdict: petrol.

Range: fill up a petrol car and a diesel car and you will probably get a longer range – the number of miles you cover on one tank of fuel – from the DERV car. Verdict: diesel.
Driving enjoyment: petrol engines offer a more instant and lively performance, such as pulling away and overtaking, and are generally smoother than a diesel unit which can be a bit ‘lumpy’. Verdict: petrol.
Petrol or Diesel: Which is best?
There is no clear winner here because it depends on what you need your car for. Value for money, lower running costs and lively performance point in the direction of petrol cars while greater fuel efficiency, excellent long distance motoring credentials and greater towing potential are big plus points for diesel.
But whichever fuel you choose for your next ICE car, if you’re buying a used vehicle, consider having a history check done first. MotorCheck’s £9.99 ‘Single Check’ will look at a car’s true mileage, finance history, MOT certificates, whether it has been stolen, written off or used as a taxi, plus more.
Because a used car can have a suspicious past in any of those red-alert areas – no matter what its fuel.