DIESEL is currently enjoying a 5% price premium over petrol at remarketing time despite the fact that most diesel-powered cars have higher mileages, the Q4 report in BCA’s Pulse has found.

According to the report, both age and mileage parameters for diesel rose to the highest figures recorded in 2006. Diesels were, on average, one month older when sold and had travelled an additional 1,800 miles.

The remarketing giant also found similar, but smaller, rises for petrol cars, but in price terms, petrol closed the gap very slightly on diesel.

The report added: ‘Average price for diesels fell by £89 – while petrol values were virtually unchanged against last quarter. The price differential between diesel and petrol products at remarketing time currently stands at £314 – just under 5%.’

Pulse also shows the residual performance of bodystyles in the last quarter. It found:

  • Hatchbacks up £85 (1.7%). Average values rose by £85, however, underlining there is plenty of demand in this ‘bread and butter’ fleet sector.
  • MPVs up £157 (2.5%). The age profile for MPVs remained static in Q4, while average mileage rose significantly by 2,725 at remarketing time. Values rose by just under £160.
  • Saloons down £177 (-2.1%). Values ended the year nearly £250 ahead of where they started, however. CAP performance, meanwhile, fell back by a significant 3% compared to Q3.
  • Estates down £101 (-1.5%). Average age and mileage both rose in this sector in Q4, which will have contributed towards the £101 fall in value recorded. Estates are sold at the highest combination of age and mileage in the fleet/lease sector.
  • Coupes down £646 (-5.4%). One of the smallest volume sectors, coupe values in Q4 fell back by nearly £650 against Q3, to record an average value of £11,219. CAP performance fell back by a point and in line with other sectors, while both age and mileage increased at remarketing time.