Diesel engined passenger cars flourished in the UK because of the cheaper price of the fuel, improved MPG and perceived reduction in pollution. However over the last 25 years diesel has become more expensive than petrol, petrol cars have caught up with diesel in economy and diesel has be found to have its own pollution problems.

I would now only buy a diesel in an SUV or pick-up as I think its low down torque characteristics are useful in that type of vehicle. I would not choose diesel for a normal saloon car.