Should I still buy a diesel car in 2023?
With a ban on new diesel and petrol-powered cars being implemented in the UK from 2030, more motorists are starting to explore the transition to electric or hybrid vehicles.
Major cities, such as London, have also been clamping down on vehicles that don't meet set emissions standards. Older diesel cars have been hit the hardest by the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) because they emit more harmful pollution than their petrol counterparts in most cases.
It may sound bleak, but diesel cars still have a lot to offer under the right circ*mstances, as we've highlighted below.
Is it worth buying a diesel car anymore?
If you drive over 12,000 miles annually, or you use your car for towing on a regular basis, then we'd recommend looking at a diesel car.
For the most part, diesels can achieve better fuel economy on a long journey compared to a petrol counterpart. Especially if your journey mainly consists of motorway driving.
The cost of diesel is usually higher than petrol, but the better fuel economy will translate to savings if you cover quite a bit of mileage every year.
Diesel vehicles make excellent towing vehicles, too. That's because they produce a hefty amount of torque, which basically means they have good pulling power. They can often tow more than equivalent petrol cars, making light work of the heaviest loads.
Diesel cars in London
Diesel cars are allowed to drive in London. However, if they don't meet Euro 6 emissions standards, then owners will be charged £12.50 a day for entering the ULEZ.
The Euro 6 standards were introduced in September 2015, so any diesel car built after that period should be able to enter the ULEZ without incurring a charge.
We recommend using the Transport for London's online vehicle checker if you don't know which standards your car meets.
What is ULEZ?
ULEZ stands for Ultra Low Emissions Zone, and was implemented by the government to help clean up the air in London.
It's in operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with an exception being Christmas day.
Best used Euro 6 diesel cars for sale
If you're in the market for an economical diesel car that meets Euro 6 standards, then we'd recommend taking a look at the models below.
