Choosing between a diesel or gasoline car is one of the most important financial decisions before buying a vehicle. Many buyers make the mistake of only looking at the fuel price on the fuel meter.
To find out which car costs you less per year, you need to calculate your annual mileage.
Diesel cars only cost less per year if you drive over 20,000 kilometers per year . If you drive less than that distance, a gasoline car is almost always the more economical choice.
Cost Comparison: Diesel vs. Gasoline
To understand the difference, let’s look at an example for a car that is used for 15,000 kilometers per year . This is a complete financial comparison of the annual costs:
| Expense Category | ⛽ Gasoline Cars | 🚜 Diesel engine | Difference and Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel Consumption | 1,450€ | 1,150€ | Diesel wins: It consumes fewer liters per 100 km. |
| Initial Purchase | Cheap | The most expensive | Diesel cars cost about €1,500 more initially. |
| Insurance & Taxes | Lower | Higher | Registration taxes for diesel are often higher. |
| Service & Maintenance | The simplest | More expensive | Diesel parts (DPF, injectors) cost a lot. |
| Loss of Value (5 years) | Partially stable | It falls faster. | Possible bans in cities reduce the value of diesel. |
Why Do Diesel Cars Cost More to Maintain?
Modern diesel cars are complex machines. They have sophisticated exhaust gas cleaning systems that gasoline cars do not have or have much simpler ones:
- Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF): If you drive short distances in the city, this filter quickly becomes clogged. Cleaning or replacing it costs from €300 to over €1,000.
- AdBlue system: This additional fluid requires regular refilling. AdBlue pumps and sensors fail frequently and are very expensive to repair.
- Injectors and Turbine: They work under very high pressure. Bad fuel can destroy the injectors, with just one of them costing over €250
How to Decide: Step-by-Step Choice Plan
- Step 1 (Calculate the Kilometers): Look at how many kilometers you drove last year. If the number is under 15,000 km, buy gas immediately.
- Step 2 (Analyze the Routes): If you drive short distances (e.g. 5-10 minutes to work), gasoline is better because it warms up faster and does not cause engine damage.
- Step 3 (For Long Trips):If you travel on the highway every day and drive over 70 km per day, a diesel car will save you hundreds of euros per month on fuel alone.
To accurately calculate which car saves you the most money, tell me:
- How many kilometers do you drive on average per year?
- Will you use the car more in the city or on the highway ?
- What are the two car models you are currently comparing?