The AA has been calling for the Government to postpone the planned fuel duty increase, as families are paying £52 more a month than a year ago because of high oil prices.
But, bitter experience from previous fuel campaigns leads me to believe the fuel duty increase will go ahead at some point, so I recommend you start to think about changing your car if fuel prices are getting too much for you.
But be careful, the older, cheaper-to-buy cars are not as economical. Petrol’s burn more fuel than diesels but diesels can cost more to repair. It’s a complete minefield. Here are three picks that might help make it easier:
Peugeot 107
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Cheeky little city car that could not be cheaper to run. Offers a petrol engine capable of 61 MPG. Solidly built with a good driving position.
Most economical: 1.0
Best used buy: 1.0 Urban
UsedCarExpert.com faults to check: 8
Used Car Expert Magazine Price Guide: 2005 models are as little as £3,700 with around 30,000 average miles.
Toyota Auris
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It looks quite a lot like the old Corolla. But it was an all new car, that gives you a higher driving position. Toyota reliability and technology make it a safe but expensive choice.
Most economical: 1.4 D
Best used buy: 1.6 P
UsedCarExpert.com faults to check: 1
Used Car Expert Magazine Price Guide: The 1.6 petrols offer 40 MPG compared to the 1.4D’s 57. But the diesel will seem under powered. Either way, the cheapest 2007 models are around £7,000.
Ford Focus
While many will be seduced by the MPG figure of 53 on Ford’s 1.8 TDCI Focus, the 1.6 petrol may be cheaper to run overall, even with its inferior 41 MPG. Either way this is still the ‘no-brainer’ economical family car.
Most economical: 1.6 TDCi
Best used buy: 1.6 Petrol
UsedCarExpert.com faults to check: 26
Used Car Expert Magazine Price Guide: A 2005 Focus 1.6 P with 38,000 average miles is around £5,000 compared to the 1.8 diesels which are £300-£500 more with 20,000 miles more on the clock.