We have set up The Real Life Fuel Economy Register at www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg where owners and drivers can input their real life fuel economy and each entry alters the overall average. This will give a realistic basis of comparison. The EC figures are achieved by optimised engines under laboratory conditions where the aim is to achieve the lowest possible CO2 for taxation purposes. They are not representative of real life. On top of that, remember that diesels are vulnerable to dual mass flywheel failures (£1,200 - £1,500), diesel particulate filter failures (£500 - £1,000), EGR failures, turbo failures, and VAG 3 and 4 cylinder diesels require a £500 timing belt change every 4 years. Add those costs and comparative diesel economy pales into insignificance.