Real world - or true - MPG in new cars is often much lower than what manufacturers claim. In 2011, the AA estimated that the average difference between claimed and true MPG was just 8%.
Most drivers could probably forgive that.
However, by 2014, that average gap had grown to a whopping 40%. This means that someone buying Britain’s most popular car, the Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost, would achieve just 39.4mpg instead of the official brochure figure of 65.7mpg.
Over a year and 10,000 miles of driving, that’s equivalent to a driver losing £545 - based on current average petrol prices of 117.9p a litre. During the average three-year ownership period, that's a £1635 loss.
So, how can you check the real MPG of a car, and how can you avoid losing out?
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Why Is There a Difference Between Claimed MPG And Real-World MPG?
The fuel economy figures published by car makers are obtained from EU testing, known as the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). Conducted in a laboratory environment, it is meant to represent typical driving habits, but in reality, it bears little relation to how most of us drive.
It was developed in the 1970s and features short runs and precious little motorway driving. And because it features roughly 10% of idling time, it particularly suits cars with stop-start systems or hybrid models that shut off their combustion engine.
What’s more, the power-sapping electrical features drivers love to use – from the stereo to climate control, navigation to windscreen wipers – are switched off, but were they in use they would increase fuel consumption.
Is a New Fuel Consumption Test Being Introduced?
The NEDC test will be replaced in September 2017 with the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). It will last 30 minutes (10 minutes longer than NEDC), leave the car stationary for less time, reach higher top speeds and require faster acceleration.
Will it be more reflective of everyday driving habits?
Nick Molden is a fuel economy and emissions expert, and chief executive of Emissions Analytics. The company has tested on-road emissions of thousands of vehicles, and Molden agrees with the AA, saying real-world economy and emissions are typically 39% above the official levels.
“We think the introduction of WLTC will about halve that gap,” said Molden.
How to Check the Real MPG of a Car
Happily, because of the efforts of independent companies, it is possible to find out the real-world MPG and emissions of a car. And interestingly, some cars do a much better job of matching their makers’ claims than others.
Both Emissions Analytics and What Car? test cars on UK roads, on the same route using sophisticated measuring equipment that helps drivers replicate prescribed driving conditions.
For example, the sensible Citroën C3 supermini returned 62.9mpg, when tested by Emissions Analytics. That’s a 15% shortfall.
And the humble Suzuki Celerio, a small hatchback, has returned 57.8mpg in the hands of What Car’s testers, which is just 12% down on the car maker’s official combined fuel economy figure. Both offer an online search facility, so drivers can gain a clear picture of how economical a car is likely to prove, before they hand over their hard-earned money.
If you want to make your vehicle more fuel-efficient, then a car service is always a good idea. You can book your car in for one today using BookMyGarage, and easily find a high-quality service that is local to you.
Book online today!
