Used Dzire Diesel vs. Petrol: The Ultimate Battle for Fuel Economy

The Maruti Suzuki Dzire has always been the progressive sedan of choice in India. Spacious cabin, low maintenance, and the badge power of Maruti made it a family favourite. But in the used car market, one question still stirs arguments: used Dzire diesel vs petrol, which one saves you more in the long run?

It is not just about mileage numbers on paper. With BS6 emission norms phasing out Maruti diesels after 2020, supply has tilted, and so have buyer choices. Petrol models are easier to find, while diesels hold cult value. That’s why understanding the used Dzire diesel vs petrol debate today requires more than a spec-sheet glance.

Mileage: ARAI Claims vs Real-World Reality

The efficiency claims are always huge selling points of Maruti, but real-world data is what buyers should care about: 

Petrol Dzire (1.2L K-Series):

• 2015–2017 models: ARAI 20.85 kmpl (manual), 18.5 kmpl (AMT).
• 2018–2020 models: ARAI 22 kmpl (for both AMT and manual). 
• 2020–2024 (BS6): ARAI 22.41 kmpl (manual), 22.61 kmpl (AMT). 
• November 2024 facelift: ARAI 24.79 kmpl (manual), 25.7 kmpl (AMT). 
• Real world: Expect 14–16 kmpl in the city, 18–22 kmpl on the highway.

Diesel Dzire (1.3L DDiS):

• 2012–2014 models: ARAI 23.4 kmpl.
• 2015–2017 facelift: ARAI 26.59 kmpl. 
• 2017–2020 final diesels: some trims claimed up to 28.4 kmpl ARAI. 
• Real world: 17–20 kmpl in the city, 22–25 kmpl on the highway.

This mileage gap is why the used Dzire diesel vs petrol question has weight. A petrol Dzire is simpler, less noisy and efficient enough, assuming that you are clocking less than 10,000 km of mostly urban runs. However, when your commute is long or highway-heavy, the additional km/litre of the diesel makes a noticeable difference in the running cost.

Ownership Costs Beyond Mileage

Mileage may be the headline, but smart buyers know the fight between the used Dzire diesel vs petrol is not won on fuel alone. Maintenance and repair patterns tell the real story:

• Petrol Dzire (1.2 K-Series):
  • Maintenance periods are inexpensive and simple, including spark plugs, filters, and fluid changes. 
  • The petrol engine is driven by a chain (no change of timing belt) and this is cost-effective in the long term. 
  • Expect yearly service bills in the ₹5,000–₹6,000 range. 
  • Common issues: clutch wear on older AMTs, carbon build-up if city-driven exclusively.
     
• Diesel Dzire (1.3 DDiS):
  • Legendary Fiat-sourced Multijet engine, but injectors and turbo need care. 
  • Service bills here are slightly higher at around ₹5,000–₹8,000 annually, with injector/turbo failures adding extra costs if they go bad. 
  • Diesel particulate filters (DPF) were not a concern on pre-BS6 diesel vehicles, but EGR clogging can be a cost on high odometer models.
  • Clutches wear faster if the car is used more in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

So, although diesel will save you at the pump, you will have to budget extra to cover some heavy repairs when they come.. That is the hidden angle that most buyers overlook when comparing used Dzire diesel vs petrol.

The BS6 Effect: Why Diesels Are Rarer and Pricier

In 2020, Maruti Suzuki completely left the small diesel game. Overnight, the Dzire became petrol only. That move flipped the used market:

• Supply: Petrol Dzires are more common in classifieds, while clean diesel examples (2015–2019) are harder to spot.
• Pricing: Sellers know the demand as diesels often list higher than similar petrols, even though they are older. 
• Usage patterns: The diesels usually come with higher odometer readings (as they were purchased to run a lot) and this negates some of their efficiency benefit.

Remember that a growing number of Indian cities are restricting 10+ year old diesels in some form. Therefore, when considering used Dzire diesel vs petrol, do not take the plunge without checking the registration life. One must also ask the question that is the diesel premium worth my running? Otherwise, a petrol Dzire can even be a safer buy.

Resale Value Patterns

Where the mass-market of the Dzire is reflected is in resale. However, between the used Dzire diesel vs petrol, the split appears as follows:

• Petrol:
  • Easier to sell thanks to city-friendly appeal. 
  • Slightly lower resale value percentage-wise compared to diesel, but faster turnover. 
  • Buyers prefer petrols if the car is under 50,000 km and newer than 2020.

• Diesel: 
  • Strong resale among taxi/fleet buyers and highway users. 
  • Higher odometer readings mean private buyers hesitate unless the price is right. 
  • Premium for clean, low-mileage diesels is real, but those are rare finds.

If you are planning to use the car for 3-4 years and resell, petrol is the easier way out. Diesel is only worth it if the next buyer is willing to look past the mileage, but that is uncertain.

Who Should Buy What?

If you are weighing the pros and cons of used Dzire diesel vs petrol, the decision boils down to your driving pattern and budget reality:

• Pick Petrol If: 
  • You drive mostly in the city with yearly usage under 12,000 km.
  • You want smoother refinement, lower maintenance bills, and easy availability. 
  • You prefer a post-2020 car (diesel not an option here anyway).
     
• Pick Diesel If:
  • You do 20,000+ km a year, especially on highways. 
  • You’re fine buying a pre-2020 model with higher odometer readings. 
  • You don’t mind paying extra upfront for a car that pays back at the pump over time.

For casual city drivers, petrol is the winner. For highway hustlers, diesel still makes sense, however, only if you score a well-maintained one. That is the plain and simple truth of the used Dzire diesel vs petrol debate.

Summary

The Maruti Dzire has always been about efficiency, but in the used market, the diesel vs petrol battle has new rules. Used Dzire diesel vs petrol is not just a question of kmpl, but also of availability, servicing and what sort of running you actually do. Diesels have unmatched highway mileage, usually 23–25 kmpl on the road, but are restricted to limited to pre-2020 stock and have increased maintenance risks. Petrol Dzires, on the other hand, are everywhere, and return 14–16 kmpl in city runs and maintain low service bills.

If you are searching classifieds for a pre-owned Swift Dzire, ask yourself: do you commute mostly in the city or on the highway? That one question decides which side of the battle you should be on. Lastly, if you want peace of mind with the added assurance of warranties, CARS24 is your go-to place for Swift Dzire used cars that are pre-inspected for a hassle-free buying experience.