You’ve probably heard a lot about diesel cars over recent months, having hit the headlines across the UK for all the wrong reasons. A growing number of manufacturers have announced their own interesting and enticing scrappage schemes, in order to encourage diesel car owners to upgrade. Specifically, discounts of up to £7,000 are available off the price of newer and more environmentally friendly cars, for those who scrapped their existing diesel car…should it qualify for the scheme.
Environmentalists across the board have praised such initiatives and are now calling on the government to introduce their own wider diesel car scrappage scheme. But at the same time, there are those who are actively encouraging members of the public to take the opportunity to buy a diesel car while all this is taking place.
The question being – is there really any logic in doing so, given how efforts to remove diesel cars from the roads altogether are being stepped up all the time?
The Pros:
Unsurprisingly, the sudden outpouring of negative sentiments in the direction of diesel cars has led to a massive decline in demand. If a future with absolutely no diesel cars on the roads really does exist, it is hardly surprising that fewer buyers than ever before are consciously choosing diesel cars. Which in turn has led to a quite extraordinary price crashes across quite a lot of new and used models alike.
It’s also worth bearing in mind the fact that just because a car runs on diesel doesn’t necessarily make it more polluting than a petrol car. A cutting-edge diesel car manufactured in 2012 for example is unlikely to be nearly as dangerous or dirty as a low-grade petrol car manufactured in 1993. In turn, you don’t necessarily have to feel too bad about buying and driving a diesel car.
So on the plus side, you have the opportunity to invest in what could be an outstanding car for a surprisingly low price.
The Cons:
On the downside, it’s worth bearing in mind that the government has not yet ruled out sweeping reforms that could see diesel car drivers targeted with all manner of additional costs. From congestion charges in major cities to bigger road tax premiums and so on, there are many who believe that the only solution to the diesel pollution crisis is effectively punishing diesel car drivers directly.
In addition, if things are slowly but surely moving towards a future where diesel cars are banned from public roads entirely, you have to question the logic of spending much money on one for the time being. Not that anything is yet set in stone, but still – it’s definitely the way things seem to be heading.
And there you have it – the advantages and disadvantages of investing in a diesel car as things stand right now.
If you require any further information on responsible car scrapping and recycling, get in touch with the Take My Scrap Car customer service team today.
