Should I buy a diesel or petrol Volkswagen Polo?

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Should I buy a diesel or petrol Volkswagen Polo?

Should I buy a Volkswagen Polo petrol 1.2 TDI Match (2017) or a Polo diesel 1.4 TDI (2016)? It will be used for city travel with three or four long trips a year Bristol to Cornwall or Ireland. How does the fuel consumption and drive compare?

Asked on 8 March 2022 by Pip Packer

Answered by Dan Powell

I wouldn't recommend any diesel car for this type of usage. A modern diesel engine needs 15 miles per journey to reach optimum operating temperature and cycle the DPF. Failure to do this will create a long list of expensive problems.

Your best option would be petrol, preferably the latest Polo with the 1.0 TSI engine: www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volkswagen/polo-vi-2.../

If your budget can't stretch to the latest Polo, consider the SEAT Ibiza 1.0 TSI. It's mechanically the same car but cheaper to buy due to it not having a VW badge on the bonnet. The 1.0 TSI engine is one of the best small-capacity petrols on the market right now: www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/seat/ibiza-2017/

Tags: petrol or diesel?