FLEETS which have run Peugeot and Volkswagen turbodiesel cars for the past three years are reaping massive rewards when disposing of them. The strongest performers are 306 turbodiesels and Volkswagen Golf turbodiesels which are securing auction prices far higher than forecast.

According to CAP Black Book, a clean three-year-old 306 1.9D Turbo three-door with 60,000 miles is fetching £5,500. This compares with a CAP Monitor forecast of £5,050 for the same car three years ago. Similarly a clean three-year-old Volkswagen Golf 1.9GL TDI five-door with 60,000 miles on the clock is achieving £7,700 according to CAP, far higher than the £6,200 predicted three years ago.

This means that a fleet manager selling 20 of the Golfs could enjoy a bonus of £30,000 or £9,000 for the 306s over disposal values forecast at vehicle acquisition. Meanwhile the turbodiesel-powered Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Vectra are both hitting figures around the CAP forecast and not showing any bonus. And any fleets which went for the Citroen Xantia turbodiesel could find they are losing out at the point of disposal according to CAP Black Book with a clean three-year-old Xantia 1.9 LX TD five-door with 60,000 miles on the clock is fetching £4,500. This compares with a CAP Monitor forecast of £5,225 for the same car three years ago.

CAP Black Book editor Craig Adamson said: 'Peugeot has always been seen as a leader for diesel and the turbodiesel has become very fashionable. It's a well proven engine - I've never heard of one breaking down - and even high mileage cars are fetching good prices.'