Should I buy a diesel car? Pros, cons and who they're best for

Diesel cars may no longer dominate new car sales, but that doesn't mean they've become a bad choice. In fact, for the right driver, a modern diesel remains one of the most economical ways to cover long distances.

The key is buying a car that matches how you use it. If you regularly drive hundreds of motorway miles each week, tow a caravan or trailer, or clock up more than 15,000 miles a year, a diesel still makes plenty of sense. On the other hand, if most of your journeys are short trips around town, you'll almost certainly be better off with a hybrid or an electric car.

Here's everything you need to know before deciding whether diesel is still the right choice for you.

Does diesel still make sense in 2026?

The answer depends almost entirely on your driving habits.

Diesel is ideal if you...

• Drive more than 15,000 miles a year

• Spend most of your time on motorways

• Regularly tow a caravan, trailer or horsebox

While electric cars continue to improve, diesel still offers some clear advantages. A modern Euro 6 diesel can comfortably return more than 60mpg on longer journeys, while many family cars will travel 700 miles or more between fill-ups. That makes them ideal for drivers who spend lots of time on the road.

Why diesel is still great for motorway drivers

If your daily routine involves long motorway journeys, it's difficult to ignore diesel's strengths.

Modern diesel engines produce plenty of torque, making overtaking easy and allowing them to cruise quietly at motorway speeds. They're also incredibly efficient when driven over longer distances, meaning less time stopping to refuel and lower running costs for high-mileage drivers.

Cars such as the Volkswagen Golf, Skoda Octavia, BMW 320d and Mercedes-Benz E-Class continue to prove just how capable modern diesel engines can be, particularly for company car drivers and families who regularly cover big distances.

If you're travelling the length of the country every week, diesel remains one of the best choices available.

Why diesel isn't ideal for short journeys

Diesel engines work best when they're driven regularly over longer distances. If your typical journey is the school run, a trip to the local shops or a short commute across town, they can actually become more expensive to own.

That's because every modern diesel is fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF), which traps soot from the exhaust. To clean itself, the filter needs to reach a high temperature during what's known as a regeneration cycle.

If the engine rarely gets fully up to temperature, these regeneration cycles may not complete successfully. Over time, the filter can become blocked, leading to warning lights, reduced performance and potentially expensive repairs.

As a rule of thumb, if most of your journeys are under 10 miles, a petrol hybrid or electric car is likely to be a better fit.

What about ULEZ and Clean Air Zones?

One of the biggest concerns for diesel buyers is whether they'll have to pay to drive into cities.

The good news is that almost every diesel car meeting the Euro 6 emissions standard is exempt from London's Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charges, as well as most other UK Clean Air Zones. In practice, this means the vast majority of diesel cars registered from September 2015 onwards can be driven into these areas without paying a daily emissions charge.

It's still worth checking local rules before buying, as some councils have introduced additional parking or emissions policies, but modern Euro 6 diesels remain perfectly usable across most of the UK.

Diesel vs hybrid vs electric

Choosing between diesel, hybrid and electric comes down to how and where you drive.

A diesel is usually the best option if you're regularly covering long motorway journeys, particularly if you don't have easy access to charging. Its excellent fuel economy and long range make it ideal for high-mileage drivers.

A self-charging hybrid is better suited to mixed driving, especially if your journeys include towns, villages and the occasional motorway trip. They're quiet, easy to drive and particularly efficient in stop-start traffic.

An electric car is often the cheapest option to run if you can charge at home. They're ideal for shorter daily journeys, although drivers regularly covering hundreds of motorway miles will find public charging expensive even when compared with filling up with diesel.

The best diesel cars to buy

If diesel suits your driving, there are still plenty of excellent choices available.

Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI – Comfortable, economical and a superb all-round family hatchback.

Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI – One of the most practical and efficient family cars on sale.

Volkswagen Passat TDI – Ideal for high-mileage motorway driving.

Skoda Kodiaq TDI – A spacious SUV that's particularly good for towing.

BMW 320d – Efficient, refined and enjoyable to drive.

Audi A6 TDI – A comfortable long-distance cruiser with impressive fuel economy.

Mercedes-Benz E220d – One of the best executive diesels for covering serious mileage.

What this means for you

Diesel isn't the default choice it once was, but it's far from obsolete. If you spend most of your time on the motorway, cover high annual mileages or regularly tow heavy loads, a modern diesel remains one of the most efficient and capable types of car you can buy.

If your driving is mainly made up of short journeys or urban commuting, however, you'll probably find a hybrid or electric car cheaper to run and easier to live with.

Ultimately, the best car isn't determined by what's fashionable – it's the one that best suits the way you drive. Matching the engine to your daily life will almost always save you money in the long run.