The mass arrival of Euro 6-compliant diesel cars on the UK's used market could see the fuel regain its position as the preferred low emission option for buyers, according to Shoreham Vehicle Auctions (SVA).
The firm says this resurgence is due as diesel cars that meet the latest emission standard come off lease contracts at between 42 and 48 months.
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SVA says that although there is a slightly higher price point for used Euro 6 vehicles, they offer buyers good quality low emission motoring.
SVA managing director Alex Wright said that despite the general cynicism surrounding diesels, the growing influx of Euro 6 standard vehicles in the used market will have a positive impact on sales of diesel vehicles overall, and on CO2 emissions.
He said: "Despite the tipping point having arrived for electric vehicles, we will see the diesel market recover and, due to the reduction in new diesel sales, the pendulum will swing back to an increased demand in the second-hand market.
"The new generation of petrol owners in an SUV will realise the extra running costs versus diesel, and when the green light is given by the government that these new generation diesels are actually helping the country reduce CO2 and NOx emissions, it will be accepted as a 'green' solution until electric vehicles fully establish themselves.
"We must remember that petrol powertrains generate CO2 and NOx emissions too and, arguably, have progressed less than diesels in recent Euro standard iterations."
