Why are Diesel MB's cheaper than Petrol

[John77]

I am looking for a second hand EClass estate and the difference in price of a deisel car than a petrol version is quite a bit. Why is this?

 

[Blobcat]

The world has turned against diesel, and there were also a lot less petrols sold so rarity is a factor.
Petrols tend to have lower mileage and can have more toys as they’re not always bought by the budget conscious when new.

 

[Chrishazle]

If you're not bothered about the spread of ULEZ etc zones (as I am) buy on condition, history, mileage and your budget. I have no intention of ever driving into the London ULEZ zone (the closest such thing to me) although my SLK complies. The closest I need to go is the LEZ zone - and only because my wife has a hospital appointment in Sidcup. My S204 is LEZ compliant, if they change the rules I'll either use the SLK or tell the NHS to re-arrange the appointment to a hospital I can drive to!

FYI both cars are 2008 - the S204 a 220CDI EU4, the SLK a petrol V6 280 facelift R171. Trading in both would not release enough for just about any hybrid or EV - not that I think EV is the long term solution - so changing our cars is not economically viable!

 

[horatio]

If you're not bothered about the spread of ULEZ etc zones (as I am) buy on condition, history, mileage and your budget. I have no intention of ever driving into the London ULEZ zone (the closest such thing to me) although my SLK complies. The closest I need to go is the LEZ zone - and only because my wife has a hospital appointment in Sidcup. My S204 is LEZ compliant, if they change the rules I'll either use the SLK or tell the NHS to re-arrange the appointment to a hospital I can drive to!

Khan wants to extend it to the M25 now *shock*. If/when it happens my strategy is to find a W123 or early W126 (40 yo car avoids ULEZ under historic rule). Continue using my diseasel as usual as I live just outside the M25. No RFL either so there wouldn’t even be the expense of taxing two cars.

They will of course keep moving the goalposts but I would bet a ‘historic’ is viable for longer than a EU4 petrol.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Why are diesel MBs cheaper than petrol?

The list grows unfortunately:

- petrol cars are/have been made in lower numbers over the last 20 years so there is a shortage of supply
- diesel although promoted by politicians due to lower CO2 emissions emits copious amounts of nitrogen dioxide which is bad for public health hence the change to urea injection or EU6
- EU6 regulations designed into cars to mitigate the NOX issue (ADBLUE - urea injection) are too complex and can/will lead to expensive repairs
- < EU5 diesels although fitted with less emission control don’t meet ULEZ requirements

I’m currently running a EU5 E350cdi estate which will be my last diesel car which says it all really

 

[ajlsl600]

Bet soon as I buy minx the f, s move goal posts on tax, mot exemption

 

[mioba]

Of course... remember when diesel was really cheap cf to petrol moons ago. Then diesel became the in fuel and its price magically went up. Same will eventually happen with EV, only benefits now are to get people change, once enough are on EV them they will pay.

 

[LostKiwi]

Of course... remember when diesel was really cheap cf to petrol moons ago. Then diesel became the in fuel and its price magically went up. Same will eventually happen with EV, only benefits now are to get people change, once enough are on EV them they will pay.

Funnily enough the cost of diesel being higher than petrol only really happened in the UK. Here in France diesel is cheaper per litre than petrol.

 

[Blobcat]

Funnily enough the cost of diesel being higher than petrol only really happened in the UK. Here in France diesel is cheaper per litre than petrol.

Purely down to the majority of company cars being diesel at the time. Government realised they were losing out in revenue…
Just wait until the majority are in EV’s….

 

[Rockron]

Funnily enough the cost of diesel being higher than petrol only really happened in the UK. Here in France diesel is cheaper per litre than petrol.

Diesel cheaper than petrol has generally been the case in most European countries. I've always believed this was because
most commercial vehicles were diesel powered, and it followed that government taxed diesel fuel at a lower rate than
petrol as an economy encouragement measure. The French public went for more L/100km and a reduced price, (2CV excepted!)
and particularly in the dire times after the War it made French practical sense. I don't think any French government has had the
nerve or cojones to change things. Vive la Gilets Jaune

Petrol historically cheaper than diesel in the UK ? Could be Rudolf was German, just saying. Born in Paris though.