Go forth and certify

Can you advise which of the official fuel consumption figures most nearly corresponds to what an average driver in mixed driving can expect to see?

Asked on 9 January 2010 by G.D., via e-mail

Answered by Honest John
Theoretically, the combined figure. But manufacturers self-certificate their cars for high economy and low CO2, and there has been a lot of fudging. So better to go by the urban figure, then you are less likely to be disappointed. Dodgy certification will eventually come home to roost as the EC imposes in-service emissions limits up to 62,000 miles.
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