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Diesel car drivers are quids in for saving money

Diesel cars have never been more popular. They now account for nearly a third of new car sales, up a whopping 15% on the same time last year. The UK is now the fastest-growing market for diesel cars, so as the number of them on our roads escalates, direct car insurer Admiral has examined how much it costs the average motorist to insure them.

Thrifty motorists realise diesel cars are cheaper to run than their petrol equivalent and developments in technology mean they are shedding their dull, sluggish image. And Admiral's research has found they are reasonable to insure too. It looked at five of the most popular new diesel models and compared the cost of one year's comprehensive insurance with four different insurers.

Admiral looked at the Peugeot 307 HDI, VW Golf GT TDI, Ford Mondeo TDCI LX, Skoda Fabia TDI and Mini One Diesel. The Peugeot 307 proved to be the cheapest to insure and even a driver under 25 can insure one for less than £250 a year.

Admiral managing director, Jane Stone, said, "I'm not surprised that diesel cars have become so popular. They perform just as well as petrol cars, but are much more cost efficient. For example a diesel Ford Mondeo covers nearly 50 miles per gallon, but the petrol version of the same car will get about 35 miles per gallon. If you are driving 10,000 miles a year the savings a huge."

Peugeot 307 HDI 2.0 Style

Based on 23 year old male living in Banchory AB51

VW Golf 1.9 GT TDI

Based on 26 year old female living in Winchmore Hill N21

Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCI LX

Based on 29 year old male living in Tewkesbury GL20

Skoda Fabia 1.9 TDI Comfort

Based on 32 year old female living in Ashurst BN44

Mini One Diesel

Based on 27 year old male living in Woolwich SE18

Jane Stone, said, "As the cost of motoring increases, motorists want to do all they can to cut their costs. Our research shows that buying a diesel car could be a great investment financially."


Issue date: 13-11-03