Petrol cars lead diesel in drive to make savings

If you think switching to a diesel car will save you money, think again, as a study indicates petrol vehicles may work out cheaper.

Comparisons between the diesel and petrol versions of 10 types of cars show it will take more than three years for the buyers of most diesel cars to recoup the premium paid over an equivalent petrol model.

For example, a Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI 105 costs €2,200 more than the petrol equivalent, the 1.2 TSI 105. Based on a set of criteria, such as 18,000km travel per year and the cost of tax, the petrol model costs €456.08 more to run per annum, meaning it will take 4.8 years for the diesel model to recuperate a price difference of €2,200.