Taking these two identical models and then comparing them, we will determine which model gives best value over a three year period. Using a standard industry three year change cycle, two different mileage uses 10k & 20K per year, we will also take tax and residual values in to account. We will be using unleaded price of 95p and diesel at 108p. The results should be interesting.

Ford Mondeo Edge 2.0i 5 speed manual (dealer list price) £17,195.00

Available on: Edge, Zetec, Ghia, Titanium, Titanium X
CO2 emissions: 189g/km
Annual vehicle excise duty: £210
Fuel efficiency (combined cycle): 35.8mpg

Unleaded petrol, 10k per year, 30k total mileage =                       £3591

Road Tax @ £210 per year, 3 years £630 =                                £630

Depreciation lost after 3 years based on dealer p/x =                   £11870

Total cost over a 3 year period on 10k per year £16091     

Unleaded petrol, 20k per year, 60k total mileage =                       £7182

Road Tax @ £210 per year, 3 years £630 =                                £630

Depreciation lost after 3 years based on dealer p/x =                   £12670

Total cost over a 3 year period on 20k per year £20482

Ford Mondeo Edge 2.0 TDCi 6 speed manual (dealer list price) £18,845.00

Available on: Edge, Zetec, Ghia, Titanium, Titanium X
CO2 emissions: 156g/km
Annual vehicle excise duty: £145
Fuel efficiency (combined cycle): 47.9mpg

Diesel, 10k per year, 30k total mileage =                                     £3062

Road Tax @ £145 per year, 3 years £435 =                                £435

Depreciation lost after 3 years based on dealer p/x =                   £12545

Total cost over a 3 year period on 10k per year £16042     

Diesel, 20k per year, 60k total mileage =                                     £6125

Road Tax @ £145 per year, 3 years £435 =                                £435

Depreciation lost after 3 years based on dealer p/x =                   £13645

Total cost over a 3 year period on 20k per year £20205

So basically using this fairly scientific comparison there is no real difference based on the variants we have used. I remember around ten years ago when diesel used to be cheaper than unleaded. These days are now long gone, just for the simple fact there are more diesels on the road so the prices of diesel has gone up even more than unleaded. This means the advantage has been taken out of driving diesel cars, but now lots of people have bought them, the big oil corporations can get more revenue from a captive diesel driven market. Don’t forget the government earns more in taxes on diesel too.

In summery pick what engine type you like as it doesn’t make much of a difference, I’m going with unleaded, anything to stop the government and companies like BP making even more money from me.