THE number of diesel cars available in the UK continues to fall as more brands drop oil burners from their line ups.

According to new research from website CarGurus only 57 new diesel models remain available from the country's 30 most popular car manufacturers, down from 167 five years ago.

This 66 per cent decline highlights how manufacturers are adapting their diesel lineups to align with evolving market trends and customer demand.

Since a peak in 2015, when 202 models were available, new diesel model availability has dropped significantly, with year-over-year declines continuing into 2025.

Diesel had long commanded a loyal following among a section of UK car buyers.

The choice of new diesel cars rose sharply through the 2000s, climbing from 123 models in 2005 to 191 in 2010, before reaching a peak roughly a decade ago. Since then, demand has been in steady decline.

Only 13 of the 30 most popular car manufacturersnow offer diesel vehicles, compared to 28 in 2020.

However, these figures also reflect broader automotive market shifts, including Mitsubishi exiting the UK market in 2021, and Jaguar's more recent pause on launching new models as it transitions towards a fully electric lineup.

Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders also shows diesel car registrations in 2025continued to decline, shifting from a high of nearly 1.3 million in 2015 to just 123,104 almost a decade later in 2024 - figures that reinforce changing consumer preferences.

Despite the overall decline, there are some encouraging signs for diesel fans.

Mercedes-Benz leads the pack of automakers that were analysed, with 16 diesel models now available across its new model lineup.

The brand's offerings grew by three modelsyear-over-year, largely due to a growing number of diesel plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) in its range.

Citroen has also introduced refreshed diesel engines, signaling its ongoing investment in cleaner diesel technology and in total has three diesels.

The other brands still offering diesels in their ranges are: Audi with eight models, Land Rover (7), BMW (6), Volkswagen and Skoda which both have four models, Mazda with three and Ford which has just two diesel models remaining.

As new options continue to decrease, UK buyers looking for a diesel car can utilise platforms such as CarGurus to find their best fit.

CarGurus' used car search function allows consumers to filter listings by ULEZ compliance, helping buyers compare diesel models across different categories and price points.

Chris Knapman, CarGurus editorial director, said: "Our latest research once again highlights the rapid decline in the choice of new diesel cars available to UK drivers. However, while diesel is clearly no longer the default choice it once was, there remains strong demand in specific segments, particularly among high-mileage drivers and those needing towing capability or long-range efficiency.

"For these buyers, the used car market continues to offer a broad range of diesel models, including many that meet ULEZ requirements. For new car buyers, while the choice of diesel models has narrowed significantly, brands like Mercedes are pairing diesel with plug-in hybrid technology for added efficiency and ULEZ compliance."