Environmental Benefits of Second Hand Car???

[phn]

Hello!

I'm trying to figure out the benefit to the environment (if any) of buying a second hand diesel car over the same model with Petrol.

If (for example) you consider the diesel does 45 MPG and the Petrol 25 MPG then obviously you will personally be consuming less fuel / producing less CO2 with the diesel.

However, wouldn't the overall effect on the environment in general be the same regardless of what you buy as the petrol version you didn't buy will still be rolling around consuming fuel and emitting higher CO2 - just with someone else driving it!

The only way i think you could 'benefit the planet' would be to buy a higher polluting car and then scrap it, replacing it with an eco car - but then scrapping a perfectly good car also doesnt seem eco to me!

Is this correct logic or am I missing something?

Appreciate your thoughts as I love my cars but also want to do the best for the environment and it's hard to ignore the benefits of a cheaper, more powerful and smoother petrol engined car vs a lower spec and more expensive diesel.

Thanks!

[Mave]

Just remember, every car that gets scrapped will potentially be replaced by a car that needs to be manufactured. IIRC 25-50% of the car environmental impact is manufacture and disposal...

[wemorgan]

If you're concerned, cycle more, drive less. Public transport is also better for the environment. And oh, don't fly what ever you do!