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Diesel Vs Petrol

What is your opinion of the hatchet job in last week's Sunday Times on diesel cars in general, and the Mazda6 in particular. Should we abandon diesels and go back to petrol before the market is destroyed by the eco lobby?

Asked on 29 May 2015 by JueJai

Answered by Honest John
I didn't see it because I never read any papers on a Sunday. What is they say about the Mazda 6? So far, the Mazda Skyactiv is the only diesel that meets EU6 without the need for additives. So far I have not heard of any trouble with it (so where did they get their information, and are they referring to the old Mazda 6?). I ran one for 14,000 miles last year without a hint of any kind of trouble (apart from a puncture and a woman crashing into the back of it). But as for the diesel v/s petrol conundrum, my view is never buy an ex fleet diesel at 3 - 4 years old because between years 3 and 6 it is likely to need a new DMF and clutch, a new DPF, at least one new EGR, at least one new turbo together with oil feed and return pipes. Total about £5,000. Modern petrol engines are capable of 45-50mpg so diesels need to be capable of 80-100mpg to make up for their increased long term costs and none of them can do 80-100mpg.
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