Diesel has been written off by many UK buyers.
But the truth is more complicated.
For the wrong driver, a diesel car can be a mistake. Short trips, city driving, DPF issues, emissions zones and poor maintenance can quickly turn a cheap diesel into an expensive problem. But for the right buyer — especially those who do longer journeys, motorway miles, towing, commuting or carrying heavy loads — some used diesel cars still make a lot of sense in 2026.
In this video, we rank 9 used diesel cars still worth buying in Britain, looking at the models that can still offer strong fuel economy, long-distance comfort, durability, torque, practicality and real-world value.
We cover cars such as the Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI, BMW 320d, Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI, Toyota Hilux, Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI, Ford Ranger, Mercedes-Benz E220d and Volvo V90 D4.
This is not about saying every diesel is a smart buy. It is about knowing which diesel cars still work in the real world — and which type of driver they actually suit.
In this video, you will learn:
• which used diesel cars are still worth buying in the UK
• why diesel is not dead for every driver
• which diesel cars are best for motorway mileage
• why the Skoda Octavia and Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI still make sense
• why BMW 320d and Mercedes E220d remain strong used choices
• why the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger still suit work and towing
• why the Volvo V90 D4 is an underrated long-distance estate
• what to check before buying a used diesel car
• why DPF problems happen and how to avoid them
• when a diesel car is a smart buy and when it is a mistake
Before buying any used diesel, always check the MOT history, service history, oil changes, timing belt or timing chain condition, DPF condition, AdBlue system, turbo health, EGR valve, clutch, gearbox, injectors, coolant leaks, suspension, tyres, brakes and whether the car has mostly done short trips or proper long-distance driving.
A good diesel can still be one of the smartest used cars to buy in Britain. But the wrong diesel, used in the wrong way, can become a money pit very quickly.
Would you still buy a diesel in 2026? Tell us in the comments which diesel car you trust most — and which one you would avoid.
Subscribe for more UK used car advice, diesel buying guides, reliability rankings, repair bill warnings, car buying mistakes and ownership tips.
CHAPTERS
00:00 - 9 Diesel Cars Still Worth Buying in Britain
02:17 - 9th Place: Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI
03:52 - 8th Place: BMW 320d
05:20 - 7th Place: Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI
06:31 - 6th Place: Toyota Hilux
08:36 - 5th Place: Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI
09:43 - 4th Place: Ford Ranger
10:51 - 3rd Place: Mercedes-Benz E220d
12:10 - 2nd Place: Volvo V90 D4
13:34 - 1st Place: Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI
#DieselCars #UsedCarsUK #BestUsedCars #DieselCarsUK #CarBuyingAdvice #SkodaOctavia #BMW320d #MercedesE220d #VolvoV90 #DieselIsNotDead
Diesel has been written off by many UK buyers.
But the truth is more complicated.
For the wrong driver, a diesel car can be a mistake. Short trips, city driving, DPF issues, emissions zones and poor maintenance can quickly turn a cheap diesel into an expensive problem. But for the right buyer — especially those who do longer journeys, motorway miles, towing, commuting or carrying heavy loads — some used diesel cars still make a lot of sense in 2026.
In this video, we rank 9 used diesel cars still worth buying in Britain, looking at the models that can still offer strong fuel economy, long-distance comfort, durability, torque, practicality and real-world value.
We cover cars such as the Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI, BMW 320d, Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI, Toyota Hilux, Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI, Ford Ranger, Mercedes-Benz E220d and Volvo V90 D4.
This is not about saying every diesel is a smart buy. It is about knowing which diesel cars still work in the real world — and which type of driver they actually suit.
In this video, you will learn:
• which used diesel cars are still worth buying in the UK
• why diesel is not dead for every driver
• which diesel cars are best for motorway mileage
• why the Skoda Octavia and Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI still make sense
• why BMW 320d and Mercedes E220d remain strong used choices
• why the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger still suit work and towing
• why the Volvo V90 D4 is an underrated long-distance estate
• what to check before buying a used diesel car
• why DPF problems happen and how to avoid them
• when a diesel car is a smart buy and when it is a mistake
Before buying any used diesel, always check the MOT history, service history, oil changes, timing belt or timing chain condition, DPF condition, AdBlue system, turbo health, EGR valve, clutch, gearbox, injectors, coolant leaks, suspension, tyres, brakes and whether the car has mostly done short trips or proper long-distance driving.
A good diesel can still be one of the smartest used cars to buy in Britain. But the wrong diesel, used in the wrong way, can become a money pit very quickly.
Would you still buy a diesel in 2026? Tell us in the comments which diesel car you trust most — and which one you would avoid.
Subscribe for more UK used car advice, diesel buying guides, reliability rankings, repair bill warnings, car buying mistakes and ownership tips.
CHAPTERS
00:00 - 9 Diesel Cars Still Worth Buying in Britain
02:17 - 9th Place: Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI
03:52 - 8th Place: BMW 320d
05:20 - 7th Place: Volkswagen Passat 2.0 TDI
06:31 - 6th Place: Toyota Hilux
08:36 - 5th Place: Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI
09:43 - 4th Place: Ford Ranger
10:51 - 3rd Place: Mercedes-Benz E220d
12:10 - 2nd Place: Volvo V90 D4
13:34 - 1st Place: Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI
#DieselCars #UsedCarsUK #BestUsedCars #DieselCarsUK #CarBuyingAdvice #SkodaOctavia #BMW320d #MercedesE220d #VolvoV90 #DieselIsNotDead
My diesels can do 1000 miles on full tank 😳.. service cost me 40£ for 5l of oil and 4 filters that's it