Diesel cars are now CHEAPER than petrols for first time – and YOU can net discounts of up to £7,000

SAVVY car buyers can save a quarter off the price of the most popular models by taking advantage of the diesel crash.

Discounts worth up to £7,000 are available on a raft of 2017 models as dealers slash prices.

Health scares, talk of tax rises and planned inner-city surcharges have all led to drivers avoiding diesel and opting for petrol, electric or hybrid cars instead.

It now means the price of diesel motors has dropped below petrol cars for the first time.

But clued-up buyers are cashing in on new pre-registered models which have less than 100 miles on the clock and offer amazing savings.

These models are just a few months old and comply with latest emissions regulations so are exempt from upcoming city centre tax hikes or bans.

Deals are available on big-selling SUVs, family hatchbacks and premium saloons.

For example, a 1.5dCi model of the British-built Nissan Qashqai can be picked up for £18,995, down from £25k.

A 1.6-litre diesel Volkswagen Golf is available nearly-new for £19k compared with a £20k petrol equivalent.

The premium BMW 3 Series even comes with a £5,000 discount - 16 per cent off the manufacturer's price.

But it's the Renault Kadjar where buyers can net the biggest saving with a £7k diesel saving, making it £1,500 cheaper than the petrol version.

Austin Collins, managing director at Buyacar.co.uk, said: "Many car buyers are panicking about the costs that face diesel drivers, and are switching to petrol cars.

"But this situation is an opportunity for drivers who are prepared to look beyond the scare stories.

"There’s no question that it’s a buyers’ market for diesel cars, with more than 25% off some cars, which adds up to well over £5,000 in some cases.

"Despite the concerns over diesel, the latest models are much less of a risk because they comply with the latest emissions regulations, which means that they won’t face the same inner-city surcharges as older cars."