I want to buy a Ford Mondeo, but why do you advise petrol engines for my annual mileage?

I'm looking to replace both a 54-plate 2.0-litre automatic petrol Ford Mondeo and a 2007 1.4-litre manual Fiesta with a newer Mondeo, which will cover 8000 to 10,000 miles a year. I've noticed that you often advise readers that they don't drive enough miles to justify running a diesel. Given that the fuel costs more but gives more mpg (so that should be a benefit, as should lower road tax), is your advice based on higher servicing/maintenance costs?

Asked on 27 August 2010 by djv

Answered by Honest John

Yes, my advice is based on much higher repair costs and a much greater propensity for things to go wrong, especially if a diesel is used for low mileages. Past 15,000 miles a year the benefits of cheaper fuel costs can start to outweigh this.

Tags: short journeys fuel economy dpf diesels reliability

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