Is a diesel MINI suitable for short journeys?

The first car I owned was an early Mini (about a year after they were first introduced), which I loved. Now, at the age of 82, I want to return to a Mini and fancy the MINI Cooper D because of its low CO2 emissions. My son-in-law and grandson, who know about these things, reckons its not the model for me because most of my motoring is on short journeys (5/7 miles up to 30 miles) when the engine will hardly have warmed up properly. What would you advise?

Asked on 13 July 2012 by BF, Long Melford

Answered by Honest John

They are correct. A diesel would be the wrong choice. You could go for a Volkswagen Up! as they are good fun to drive or, a bit bigger but huge fun, a Mazda 2 1.3TS2. Or a FIAT 500 TwinAir, a Suzuki Swift or, indeed, a petrol-engined MINI.

Tags: short journeys petrol or diesel?

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