Right now, just 1 in 17 new cars sold runs on diesel, according to a new report. A decade ago, that number was 1 in 2. That’s an 87% collapse in market share.
So, what happened?
Back in 2015, diesels were the “smart” choice. The government gave tax perks because they pumped out less CO2, making them especially popular for company cars. But then came Dieselgate, when VW was caught cheating emissions tests. The scandal destroyed trust in the fuel, and buyers never really forgave it.
Since then, things have only gone downhill. Hybrid and electric cars have taken over, tax breaks disappeared, and the 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel sales is looming. Experts say diesel will shrink to just 2% of the market by 2028, which means only 1 in 50 new cars.
Not everyone has given up, though. Some drivers still swear by diesel for its fuel economy, long range, and towing power. You can still buy new diesel models from small hatchbacks like the VW Golf to big SUVs like the Land Rover Defender.
And here’s the twist. Because there are fewer new diesels being made, used ones are holding their value really well. Data shows diesels keep about 51% of their value after 2 to 4 years, which is stronger than EVs and plug-in hybrids, and not far behind petrols.
But the writing is on the wall. With ULEZ zones expanding, tougher taxes, and cities cracking down on older diesels, the fuel is heading towards extinction.
Diesel’s fall in numbers:
2015 - 48%
2016 - 48%
2017 - 42%
2018 - 32%
2019 - 27%
2020 - 20%
2021 - 14%
2022 - 10%
2023 - 7%
2024 - 6%
Forecast diesel decline next four years:
2025 - 5%
2026 - 5%
2027 - 3%
2028 - 2%
From half the market to almost nothing in just over a decade, it has been a wild fall from grace.
