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Hi, we need to replace our car which we kept for 11 years and are looking at a second hand euro 1600 or possibly 2000cc diesel. We like the look of the citroen c4 or peugot 307. We average about 15000km annually and would keep a car for minimum 5 years. Given the diesel price vs ruc is a diesel a good option or would a small petrol be better. Our budget is 20K max and like most people 90% of use would be short trips to and from work.

I’m not sure a diesel of any make/model is for you to be honest. Better fuel consumption is a given but that’s where the benefits can stop especially for those who only travel around the national average of 14K per year.

No question Diesel does have its advantages over petrol when towing and on long drives but those benefits don’t really apply to you.

Registration costs are higher with diesel ($130 currently) and you pay ($44.31 currently) for every 1,000kms travelled in Road User Charges which evens things out a bit.

Add to that, Diesel vehicles are often more expensive to buy and servicing costs can be higher.

Late model petrol vehicles all pretty much, have impressive fuel consumption figures as well. And for some, the engine noise levels are much easier to live with.