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2026 ranking · Non-electrified diesels

The cheapest diesel cars to run in 2026

The cheapest to run is the Renault Clio: 186 € a month at 15,000 km a year. We've compared the 74 models of this type still sold new, with fuel, insurance, road tax, ITV, maintenance and tyres.

Cheapest to run

186 €

a month

253 € a month on average across 74 models.

The 20 cheapest to run each month

  1. 1Renault Clio1.5 Diesel 101 CV · 4,8 l/100 km186 €a month
  2. 2Volkswagen Golf2.0 Diesel 116 CV · 5,1 l/100 km203 €a month
  3. 3Seat León2.0 Diesel 116 CV · 5,2 l/100 km205 €a month
  4. 4Renault Mégane1.5 Diesel 116 CV · 5,4 l/100 km206 €a month
  5. 5Fiat Tipo1.6 Diesel 131 CV · 5,4 l/100 km208 €a month
  6. 6Skoda Octavia2.0 Diesel 150 CV · 5,4 l/100 km212 €a month
  7. 7Opel Astra1.5 Diesel 131 CV · 5,6 l/100 km213 €a month
  8. 8Peugeot 3081.5 Diesel 131 CV · 5,6 l/100 km214 €a month
  9. 9BMW Serie 22.0 Diesel 150 CV · 5,4 l/100 km214 €a month
  10. 10Audi Q22.0 Diesel 116 CV · 5,8 l/100 km216 €a month
  11. 11BMW Serie 12.0 Diesel 150 CV · 5,6 l/100 km218 €a month
  12. 12Volkswagen T-Roc2.0 Diesel 116 CV · 5,6 l/100 km218 €a month
  13. 13Ford Focus1.5 Diesel 114 CV · 5,9 l/100 km219 €a month
  14. 14Citroën C4 X1.5 Diesel 131 CV · 5,9 l/100 km219 €a month
  15. 15DS DS 41.5 Diesel 131 CV · 5,9 l/100 km221 €a month
  16. 16Cupra León2.0 Diesel 150 CV · 5,8 l/100 km221 €a month
  17. 17BMW Serie 2 Active Tourer2.0 Diesel 150 CV · 5,7 l/100 km221 €a month
  18. 18Citroën C41.5 Diesel 131 CV · 6 l/100 km222 €a month
  19. 19Volkswagen Caddy2.0 Diesel 102 CV · 6 l/100 km223 €a month
  20. 20Renault Kangoo1.5 Diesel 95 CV · 6,1 l/100 km223 €a month

Monthly running cost at 15,000 km a year for 5 years, bought new, with third-party, fire and theft insurance. Depreciation is shown separately.

Highlights

What the data says

A diesel uses fewer litres than a petrol car, but diesel cost 1,889 €/l on average in Spain on 15/10/2026, and 95 petrol 1,783 €/l. In our calculations its maintenance is also slightly more expensive. Diesel hybrids are in the hybrids ranking.

Of the 74 models still sold new, the one that costs least is the Renault Clio (1.5 Diesel 101 CV): 186 € a month, 2.233 € a year. Number 20 on the list, the Renault Kangoo, costs 223 € a month: 37 € more than the first. The average across all 74 is 253 € a month, 14 € more than the average for all cars on sale (239 €).

For the Renault Clio, the biggest cost is fuel: 115 € a month, followed by insurance (29 €) and maintenance (28 €).

Only one of the top 20 is a city car or supermini. If you're after a small or compact SUV, the one that costs least is the Audi Q2: 216 € a month, at number 10.

The Renault Clio is also the best-seller on the list: 27.101 registrations in Spain in 2025, adding up all its versions.

How we calculate it

The same assumptions as each car's page

  • Only models still sold new are included: those registered in 2025 according to the European Environment Agency's register.
  • Each model is included with its best-selling version of this engine type that is still on sale.
  • 15,000 km a year for 5 years, bought new. Real consumption: the type-approval figure plus the real-world gap measured by the European Commission.
  • Fuel: the average of filling stations in Spain on 15/10/2026. Electricity: 0,15 €/kWh, charging at home (rapid chargers cost several times more).
  • Road tax at the legal minimum rates and ITV at the average fee across regions. Insurance, maintenance and tyres: our own estimates, the same across Spain.
  • Full methodology →

Sources

More rankings

Before you decide

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Which is the cheapest diesel car to run?+

The Renault Clio (1.5 Diesel 101 CV): 186 € a month at 15,000 km a year, including insurance, road tax, ITV, maintenance and tyres. Not counting depreciation.

How much does it cost to run a diesel?+

On average, 253 € a month across the 74 models still sold new: the lowest, 186 €, and the highest, 440 €. The average for all cars on sale is 239 € a month.

Is a diesel or a petrol car better value?+

At 15,000 km a year, the cheapest diesel to run is the Renault Clio (186 € a month) and the cheapest petrol car, the Toyota Aygo X (196 € a month). On average, the diesels on sale cost 253 € a month and petrol cars 311 €. Diesel cost 1,889 €/l and 95 petrol 1,783 €/l (15/10/2026).

What's included in the monthly cost?+

Fuel or electricity at real consumption, third-party, fire and theft insurance, road tax, ITV, maintenance and tyres, at 15,000 km a year for 5 years and bought new. Depreciation is separate: you'll find it on each car's page.

Why isn't my car listed?+

Only models still sold new are included (those registered in 2025), each with its best-selling version with this engine type. If yours is older, look it up in the search: we have cars from 2000 onwards.