Would you buy an used (3 yr old) diesel car now?

[wax lyrical]

I'm thinking about a Mercedes GLB diesel (2020 car) using a 4 yr loan (plus initial deposit) - so owning the car outright at the end of the 4 years.

Given the way the UK is moving (electric cars, ULEZ, etc) is that a silly idea? I assume the market for 7 year old diesels in a few years time will be almost non-existent?

All input and advice appreciated!

[WonkeyDonkey]

If you do the miles then yes I would.

[Shabaza]

The petrol engines are so tiny in the GLB, they really need to be worked hard and will struggle to get 30 mpg around town.

I think for that size car, specifically the GLB, diesel is the only option

[ChrisH79]

If the car suits your use for the 4 years and you’re unlikely to need to move it on straight away afterwards why not?

I still think buying what you want and can afford is the best way to go rather than worrying about future value. Personally my daily is an 8 year old diesel that won’t qualify as ULEZ free, but it’s unlikely to impact me more than very occasionally. So I’m just going to keep running it until it’s dead.

[vikingaero]

My family Passat diesel is a smidge over 3 years old and currently compliant. Any tinpot dictator like El Presidente Khan could outlaw diesels overnight as could any other City with a CAZ/ULEZ. Do I care? Nope. I just won't visit them in the car, or use a compliant car.

[AllyBee]

I'm looking for a new car at the moment, as my 2011 A4 Allroad is not ULEZ compliant. For me I have totally ruled out getting a Diesel, I don't do a huge amount of mileage so for me my reasons are:

Current cost of diesel V petrol, starts to erode any MPG differences.
Maintenance costs (appreciate this should not be an issue on a 2-3 year old car)
Cost and hassle of Ad-Blue. again starts to erode any MPG differences.
Uncertainty of the future of Diesels with ULEZ type schemes.

[Richard-390a0]

Wouldn't bother me if I were doing the mileage to justify it. That & the push back against electric in Germany etc which seems to be gaining momentum I don't think it's a foregone conclusion that the ICE is dead just yet.

[Pixelpeep Electric]

Like others have said if you are going to get the use out of it then it will more than pay for itself within the window.

Also, to fix any worries about what it'll be worth resale in 4 years.... keep it for 8!

[ZX10R NIN]

If your usage suits then yes I'd buy one & I'll be doing exactly that at the end of this year.

[wax lyrical]

Thanks Guys.

[snotrag]

Currently in an (older) Diesel Merc.

The key is, buying the right engine for the car.

Its not a 'cost' thing anymore, as mentioned that cost difference between the fuel, particularly for non--performance petrols which run fine on 95ron, is getting quite big.

However, for some cars, a big modern V6 turbo diesel is just the 'right' powerplant for the car - a Merc GLB being exactly that.

Often, the only petrol variant in some of these bigger cars is the turbonutter/AMG/RS/Superfast version too.


Would I buy a tiny city car with a teeny 1.2tdi? No way. The petrols are so good nowadays its pointless. And we want to get those nasty emissions out of the cities.

Would I buy a big saloon, SUV etc with a Diesel to sit and chug up and down the motorways, or tow? Absolutely.

[snotrag]

Not to mention the fact, that they are getting very unpopular now.

I avoided Diesel like the plague when it was 'popular'.

Ironically, its only now, when its beleived to be the devil fuel, that I bought my first diesel.

Just for god sake dont get a 4 cylinder!

[ruwokeenuff]

Oh the old ....you have to do a cazzilion miles a week to own a diesel bit

[dmsims]

Given the OP lives in London - avoid