Diesel Cars Pros Cons
Diesel cars pros & cons explained

Here are some advantages and disadvantages of buying a diesel vehicle

Diesel cars have been a popular choice for drivers for around 15 years in India. However, there are both advantages and disadvantages of a diesel car, specially in the current automotive scenario in our country. We will explore the pros and cons of diesel powered cars to help you understand whether a diesel car is the right choice for you.

Pros of diesel cars:

  1. Fuel efficiency: Diesel engines are known for their fuel efficiency, making them a popular choice for drivers who are looking to save money on fuel costs. Oil burners generally have a higher compression ratio, which means that they can get more power out of each litre of fuel. Some cars like Tata Altroz and Honda Amaze have an ARAI figure of up to 25 km/l!
  2. Torque: Diesel engines produce more torque compared to petrol engines, which makes them better suited for hauling heavy loads or driving on steep inclines or conquering off-road obstacles.
  3. Diesel Prices: While the price difference between petrol and diesel has narrowed down in India, diesel is still cheaper to run. Even if there is a difference of Rs. 10/- and you’re fuelling up 40 litres, you save Rs. 400/-. On top of that, you get almost double the fuel efficiency per litre compared to petrol. You also get a longer range of driving on a full tank of fuel.
  4. Resale value: While this doesn’t apply to Delhi registered cars, diesel vehicles often hold their value better than petrol cars, which can be an advantage if you are planning to sell your car in the future. We believe the resale value will get stronger as most of the carmakers are discontinuing diesel variants with the BS6 Phase 2 norms.

Cons of diesel cars:

  1. Higher upfront cost: Diesel engines are more expensive to produce than petrol engines, which means that diesel cars tend to be more expensive to buy. These are around Rs. 1 lakh more expensive compared to their petrol counterpart for a mass market vehicle. However, in some cases, the pricing is similar if there is a turbo petrol engine powered car.
  2. Delhi norms: If you are staying in and around Delhi-NCR, you might regret buying a diesel car. More than 10 year old diesel vehicles are banned to ply on Delhi roads and if caught, there is a heavy fine to pay and your car will be seized. Most Delhiites prefer buying petrol cars these days that have a registration life of 15 years. Hence, there is poor resale value of diesel cars in Delhi and it doesn’t make sense to buy a diesel car in the state unless your running is crazy high.
  3. Maintenance costs: Diesel engines require specialised maintenance, which can be more expensive than the maintenance required for petrol engines. This includes regular maintenance of the diesel particulate filter (DPF), which can be costly to replace if it gets clogged.
  4. Noise and vibration: Diesel engines tend to be noisier and more vibratory than petrol engines, which can be a drawback for some people who prefer a quieter and smoother ride.

All in all, diesel cars have both advantages and disadvantages. While they are known for their fuel efficiency and torquey output, they are also more expensive to buy and maintain than petrol cars. If you are considering buying a diesel car, it is important to weigh these pros and cons carefully and determine whether a diesel car is the right choice for your needs. If you are a mile muncher then you should consider diesel, otherwise stick to petrol.