Only 1 in 50 cars live up to miles per gallon boasts
FEWER than one in 50 cars match the makers’ claims on how many miles they clock up per gallon – leaving millions of motorists spending far more on fuel than they expect, reveals a report today.
Drivers are being ‘misled by fantasy miles per gallon figures’ warn consumer champions at Which?
They tested 200 new cars across 2013 and 2014 but found that only three had accurate official fuel usage figures.
On average, manufacturers overstated the performance per gallon by 13 per cent. This equates to around £133 a year more in fuel costs than a buyer would expect to pay.
The car which performed worst was billed as one of the ‘greenest’ – the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, a plug-in hybrid which runs on petrol or electricity or a combination of the two.
Its miles per gallon was ‘overstated’ by 120 per cent, costing £459 a year in unexpected fuel costs, according to Which?
But the Jeep Grand Cherokee hit owners hardest in the pocket.
Based on Which? tests, its mileage per gallon rate was 55 per cent worse than stated - costing the average owner up to £ 854 a year more on fuel. Other cars found to have cost owners a lot more than expected were the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé (£421), the BMW X4 (£419) and Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid (£352).
Which? is calling for ‘more realistic car fuel economy testing after finding 98 per cent of the cars we tested couldn’t match or beat their miles per
‘Fantasy figures’
gallon claims’. Its report adds: ‘The cost of fuel is one of the biggest concerns for consumers so the fuel efficiency of new cars has become an important selling point. But unrealistic miles per gallon claims are costing motorists hundreds of pounds.’
The group condemns the official test used by makers as ‘outdated’ with ‘loopholes’ which can lead to unrealistic figures.
It says: ‘Manufacturers can opt to test in a car’s “eco” mode, turn off lights and air con, and increase tyre pressures above recommended levels to reduce rolling resistance. It also doesn’t accurately reflect real-life scenarios, like motorway driving.
‘Consumers are being misinformed about their cars’ fuel consumption in advertising and at point of sale, which means they’re likely to end up spending more on fuel.’
A new test which closely mirrors the one used by Which? is due to be introduced by the EU from 2017. But the group warns: ‘The European Commission is facing heavy pressure from the car industry to delay this until 2020 and any further delay will only end up costing consumers.’
Which? is urging Brussels to stand firm and implement the improved test as planned.
Executive director Richard Lloyd, said: ‘The new test should be brought in without delay so consumers are no longer misled by fantasy miles per gallon figures.’