Used Petrol or Diesel Car: Which One Should You Buy?

Buying a Used Car

Many questions come to your mind while purchasing a used car. One of the big questions is whether to opt for a petrol or diesel-run car. A potential used car buyer has a lot on their plate, from availing the best-used car loan with attractive interest rates to choosing between diesel and petrol-run cars. Here are some striking points and features of differences between a used diesel and petrol vehicle.

What to Choose?

Both petrol and diesel-run cars work well on Indian roads and the Indian driving system. As you know, over the last few years, car purchases have risen due to affordable deals in the second-hand market. However, while looking for the perfect used car, you need to decide what kind of performance and what car features you want in your ride.

As India is considered to have the world’s number one diesel car market, it has caused rising concern with its growing dependence on diesel. However, while petrol cars give many people an unmatched performance and feel, diesel cars are fuel-efficient and high on mileage, also reducing fuel costs.

On What Basis to Choose?

• Cost

The diesel variant is more expensive than a petrol-powered used car of the same make. For example, the showroom price between petrol and diesel variants can alter up to 1 to 1.5 lakhs for a car that costs less than Rs 10 lakhs. However, diesel pre-owned cars depreciate slower, justifying the extra costs.

• Maintenance

Compared to used petrol-driven cars, diesel engines are sturdier and often perform smoothly in the long run. However, diesel-powered car parts can be more expensive to repair once they fail due to the unavailability of the parts and the labour costs that are involved. Also, a petrol engine’s life is more than a diesel car.

• Insurance cost

Compared to a used petrol car, diesel cars are more expensive – so are their parts. A vehicle’s price directly impacts the insurance expenses. Consequently, the insurance premium for used diesel cars can cost you more than their petrol variants.

• Environment-friendly

Pre-owned diesel cars produce and emit harmful toxins like soot and release particulate matter that is not good for the environment. On the contrary, petrol-driven cars produce comparatively less air-polluting elements.

• Mileage

Diesel offers higher energy ratings than petrol as a fuel. This means that you use more petrol to achieve a certain amount of power than you would use diesel. This states that diesel-driven cars deliver better mileage than used petrol-driven cars. Diesel-powered cars can be a pocket-friendly affair for those who travel long distances regularly.

• Engine

In budget petrol-driven cars, vehicle refinement outscores its diesel counterpart. (NVH) The Noise, Vibration, and Harshness levels are higher for diesel cars. Nowadays, premium diesel vehicles deliver performance as excellent as petrol cars.

• Resale value

More and more people are choosing pre-owned cars with the used car market opening up in India. Despite petrol-powered engines offering extended durability, second-hand diesel-driven cars possess a higher resale value.

In a nutshell

If mileage is one of the top priorities for you when buying a used car, a pre-owned diesel car may be the best option. However, if vehicle refinement and functioning are what you are looking for, you can opt for a petrol-driven used car.