Diesel cars losing favour among buyers, new survey reveals

New car buyers are losing interest in diesel power, a survey has revealed.

Research by vehicle servicing company Kwik Fit, which quizzed 2,000 people considering buying a new car in the next two years, found only 16 per cent are planning to go with a diesel.

Petrol proved the most popular next-car option with 42 per cent of the vote, 19 per cent opting for a hybrid and eight per cent prepared to buy a full-electric vehicle.

The survey also revealed many wouldn’t even consider diesel, with 35 per cent saying they would refuse to buy a new diesel car.

For those who would consider diesel cars, it would take an average 18.4 per cent discount on a vehicle for them to buy one.

Roger Griggs, communications director at Kwik Fit, said: “This study shows that the recent media coverage of diesel engines has had a real impact on people’s plans for their next car.”