There has been a marked rise in the popularity of used diesel-powered superminis over recent months, with price premiums over equivalent petrol models more than doubling on certain vehicles since last year.

According to EurotaxGlass’s, publisher of trade ‘bible’ Glass’s Guide to Used Car Values, two- and three-year old examples of best-selling superminis such as the Ford Fiesta and Peugeot 206 equipped with low-capacity diesel engines have seen their price premiums increase from around £200 last year up to £500 now.

Technological enhancements to diesel engine refinement and the opportunity for consumers to make significant cost savings have both contributed to the rise in demand.

“Diesel vehicles generally cost more new than comparable petrols, so it would be expected that they are worth more on the second-hand market,” comments Jeff Paterson, Chief Car Editor at EurotaxGlass’s.  “However, the heightened level of demand for small diesels witnessed this year has widened the price gap over comparable petrol models.”

Not so long ago buyers avoided diesel superminis, finding that petrol power offered similar fuel economy with a smoother drive and without the ‘dirty’ image of diesel.  Improvements in diesel technology have led to the introduction of smoother, ‘cleaner’ powerplants and have boosted the fuel efficiency advantage over petrol *.

“Other running cost benefits are attracting drivers to small diesels,” adds Paterson.  “In particular, changes to passenger vehicle tax bands have focused the minds of consumers on the need to consider CO₂ emissions when buying a car, with many diesels now bettering their petrol siblings by qualifying for a £35 per year tax disc.”  

“The trend is more striking in urban areas.  The possibility of the London congestion charge being waived for vehicles which fall into the ‘sub-120g/km’ category of CO₂ emissions is a further reason for buyers in the south east to choose a modern diesel supermini over a petrol one,” concludes Paterson.