South Yorkshire leads UK in diesel reliance

Based upon current prices, the typical diesel driver could now spend £515 more each year on fuel.

South Yorkshire is the region most exposed to rising diesel prices, with three of the top four UK towns most reliant on diesel vehicles. New research from used-car retailer Motorpoint analyzed privately owned vehicles across 50 towns and cities, revealing the financial strain high fuel costs are placing on drivers.

The average cost of diesel has now topped £2 per liter, a rise of over 40% since February. For a typical diesel car covering 9,200 miles a year, this translates to an extra £515 in fuel expenses annually. A large share of diesel drivers report that filling up is now a financial burden.

Doncaster leads the UK in diesel dependence, with 41% of privately owned vehicles running on the fuel. The town has 62,098 diesel cars on its roads, meaning higher prices could cost residents an additional £32 million in fuel over a year if costs stay at current levels.

Peterborough follows closely with 40.3% diesel adoption, while Rotherham and Barnsley have 38.9% and 38.3% respectively.

Bradford, though ranked sixth in diesel reliance at 36.4%, has the highest total number of diesel vehicles—nearly 80,000. This could result in an extra £41.2 million in fuel costs for the city’s drivers over the next 12 months.

While London has the lowest proportion of diesel drivers at 14.3%, the sheer volume, 344,000 cars, means the capital could still face an additional £177.4 million in fuel expenses annually.

Motorpoint’s analysis suggests that while some drivers may benefit from switching to petrol, hybrid or electric vehicles, those who frequently tow heavy loads or drive long distances could still find diesel cost-effective despite the price hike. The decision ultimately depends on comparing current fuel costs with the potential savings from a new vehicle.