Mazda 6 - Running Costs, Used Diesel vs Used Petrol

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Wed 26 Jun 2013 12:31
Mazda 6 - Running Costs, Used Diesel vs Used Petrol - Just J

Hello,

I am about to buy a used Mazda 6 Estate as a family+dog run around and I am confused whether to go for a petrol or diesel variant...

I will be keeping the car for approx 5 years and 40K miles...

At the moment I return the "combined average MPG" for my current 406 diesel according to Autotrader's figures and my cars trip computer...

I'm not sure on all of the variables to consider when totting up the figures, so any help and advice would be greatly appreciated...

Cheers J

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Wed 26 Jun 2013 13:12
Mazda 6 - Running Costs, Used Diesel vs Used Petrol - veryoldbear

5 years / 40K = average 8K per annum. I don't think that this really justifies the added problems that a diesel may give if used for short runs.

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Wed 26 Jun 2013 17:20
Mazda 6 - Running Costs, Used Diesel vs Used Petrol - unthrottled

It's probably fair to say that, all things being equal, a diesel will get about 25-30% more mpg than the equivalent petrol.

A petrol might get 35 mpg in a car that size/use. Over 40,000 miles that is ~1140 gallons fuel or £6720 at today's prices

A diesel might get 45-50 mpg in the same scenario. Over 40,000 miles that is 800-890 gallons or £4860-£5410. So a saving of £1300-£1850. Add in any difference in VED.

Either option is more expensive than your current 406 Diesel which was a taxi favourite for good reason.

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Wed 26 Jun 2013 17:32
Mazda 6 - Running Costs, Used Diesel vs Used Petrol - Just J

It's probably fair to say that, all things being equal, a diesel will get about 25-30% more mpg than the equivalent petrol.

A petrol might get 35 mpg in a car that size/use. Over 40,000 miles that is ~1140 gallons fuel or £6720 at today's prices

A diesel might get 45-50 mpg in the same scenario. Over 40,000 miles that is 800-890 gallons or £4860-£5410. So a saving of £1300-£1850. Add in any difference in VED.

Either option is more expensive than your current 406 Diesel which was a taxi favourite for good reason.

Thanks very much for the numbers...

What is VED?

My 406 just developed a knocky/bang/tap, so I'm afraid it's on borrowed time and not worth repairing according to my mechanic... I was hoping to get another year out of it, but hey ho...

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Wed 26 Jun 2013 19:30
Mazda 6 - Running Costs, Used Diesel vs Used Petrol - unthrottled

What is VED?

Tax disc!

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Wed 26 Jun 2013 21:30
Mazda 6 - Running Costs, Used Diesel vs Used Petrol - Just J

VED = Tax = LOL @Myself

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Wed 26 Jun 2013 21:20
Mazda 6 - Running Costs, Used Diesel vs Used Petrol - Cyd

VED = Vehicle Excise Duty, aka car tax!!!

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Wed 26 Jun 2013 17:29
Mazda 6 - Running Costs, Used Diesel vs Used Petrol - Just J

5 years / 40K = average 8K per annum. I don't think that this really justifies the added problems that a diesel may give if used for short runs.

Thanks for the advice...

I am doing mainly short runs...

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Wed 26 Jun 2013 19:56
Mazda 6 - Running Costs, Used Diesel vs Used Petrol - Bobbin Threadbare

Get a petrol one. Mazda 6 petrols are superb but diesel cars aren't Mazda's strong suit. Short runs says petrol. I had one and I would have had to do about 28k miles to get my money back on buying the diesel and paying the higher fuel costs. Have a go with this: www.which.co.uk/cars/driving/driver-tools/petrol-v.../

It doesn't factor in VED or anything extra though.

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Wed 26 Jun 2013 21:29
Mazda 6 - Running Costs, Used Diesel vs Used Petrol - Just J

Get a petrol one. Mazda 6 petrols are superb but diesel cars aren't Mazda's strong suit. Short runs says petrol. I had one and I would have had to do about 28k miles to get my money back on buying the diesel and paying the higher fuel costs. Have a go with this: www.which.co.uk/cars/driving/driver-tools/petrol-v.../

It doesn't factor in VED or anything extra though.

Cheers for the tip Bud...

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