I recently enquired about the new Mercedes C-Class Coupe and after much deliberation decided to opt for a petrol model as I do not do the mileage to warrant a diesel variant. My wife drives a maximum of 10 miles per day and I will drive maybe 50 at the weekends, with 3-4 trips from London-Manchester each year.

I have always owned petrol cars and have heard horrible stories regards diesel particle filters, engine damage and increased fuel cost when only doing short journeys around town. Thus petrol seems like a much wiser choice for me.

Unfortunately Mercedes-Benz have not been able to offer me a test drive on account that they do not carry a single petrol C-Class in their entire UK fleet.

I found that very hard to believe but have now heard that from a dealer and a leasing agent so have accepted that it must be true. The reasoning given is that their sales are 80% diesel and hence they cannot justify running any petrol models.

Given that the majority of MB's Coupe brochure and website advertising is images of the C350 petrol and that it is one of the highest valued cars in the C range circa £38,000, I find it strange that it is not possible to drive one with MB expecting people to buy them 'blind'?

Both the dealer and leasing agent have encouraged me to opt for the diesel as the residuals will be better and I will get a better deal. However I have heard that the trend is shifting in favour petrol models once again (Richard Sanders, Drive The Deal, March 2012).

Would you recommend that I stick by my guns and opt for the petrol (either the C250 or C350) without test driving one or succumb to the majority view and purchase a Diesel variant?

Are there known problems with the MB petrol engines or is it really too expensive for MB to run a fleet vehicle?

Would appreciate your help as of the rivals (BMW and Audi) I do like the MB the best but am not keen on laying out over £30k before I have even driven the car.