Petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric: which used car is right for you?
7 min read · Updated 1 September 2026
There's no universally 'best' fuel type — only the one that fits your journeys. Get this right and you save on fuel, tax and depreciation for years. Here's how the four main options stack up for a used buyer.
Petrol
Still the default for most drivers doing average or lower mileage, especially urban and mixed trips. Cars are cheaper to buy than equivalent hybrids or EVs, simple to maintain, and modern petrols are efficient enough for the school run and occasional longer drive.
Best for: lower-mileage drivers who want the lowest purchase price and simplest ownership.
Diesel
Diesel comes into its own for high motorway mileage, where its efficiency and torque genuinely pay off. The catch is towns: older diesels can face clean-air-zone charges, and lots of short, cold trips are bad for a diesel's particulate filter.
Best for: drivers covering big, steady motorway miles who rarely sit in stop-start traffic.
Hybrid (and plug-in hybrid)
A regular hybrid pairs a petrol engine with a small battery for lower fuel use in town, with no plug required — an easy efficiency win for mixed driving. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) adds a bigger battery for a useful electric-only range, but only saves money if you actually charge it regularly.
Best for: mixed urban/rural driving (regular hybrid), or those with home charging who do short daily trips and occasional long ones (PHEV).
Electric (EV)
EVs are cheapest per mile to run and to tax, quiet and smooth, and ideal if you can charge at home. The considerations are upfront price, real-world range for your longest regular trips, and public charging if you can't plug in at home. On a used EV, ask about battery health.
Best for: drivers with home or workplace charging whose daily mileage sits comfortably within the car's range.
- Estimate your average weekly mileage honestly
- Note your single longest regular journey
- Check whether you can charge at home or work (for EV/PHEV)
- Factor insurance and tax, not just fuel
- For used EVs, ask for a battery state-of-health check
Frequently asked
Is a used electric car worth it?
If you can charge at home and your daily driving fits the range, a used EV usually has the lowest running costs of any option. If you rely on public charging or do frequent very long trips, weigh it up carefully.
Should I avoid a used diesel?
Not if you do high motorway mileage — diesel still makes sense there. Avoid one for mostly short urban trips, and check clean-air-zone rules for your area.