The fuel prices for gas cars are tempting and make a difference of up to 75 cents Per liter compared to gasoline, you really want to change - if it weren't for the sometimes heavy additional price for the purchase. But it doesn't have to be a brand new model, after all, a used one does too. That saves a lot of money - at least at first glance.
Gas cars are not cheap on the second-hand market either. This is confirmed by a study by auto motor und sport . Compared to a comparable petrol engine, they are traded up to 2700 euros more expensive (see overview on the right). That means: The surcharge is only amortized after many kilometers due to the low fuel costs. Depending on the model, a mileage of more than 60,000 kilometers may be necessary.
Those who are not put off by this can now look forward to a wide range. At mobile.de alone, almost 15,000 advertisements for vehicles for gas operation are listed. All interested parties should now clarify what they are looking for. The market knows cars for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas (CNG) and differentiates between gas systems ex works and retrofitted vehicles.
Converted cars in particular deserve a close look. Although every gasoline engine can be converted to gas drive, not every model can withstand this treatment. The reason for this is the higher exhaust gas temperatures in gas operation, which can have a critical effect on the exhaust valves. According to an ADAC survey, the resulting damage only accounts for two percent of all problems with converted gas cars. Often it is only up to the setting of the system what a software update can fix.
This work should only be carried out by certified companies. Therefore, before buying, it is important to ensure that a specialist company has done the conversion. These special workshops can also answer the question of whether a model is even suitable for gas operation - they have overviews for this.
D his question is superfluous in the case of cars whose engines have already been converted for gas operation at the factory. It stays with the normal used check. A complete checkbook is particularly important here - depending on the model, there may be regulations that a comparable petrol engine does not have.
Gas system: These defects occurred:
Often only adjustment work is necessary
An ADAC survey of owners of gas vehicles has shown that only 26 percent had problems with the gas system. Engine damage occurred in only two percent of the problem cases. Mainly there were difficulties with setting up the system, which was often remedied by a software update. The tank system (13 percent) and the injection system (11 percent) also caused problems.
Judgments on retrofitting :
Conversion to LPG
If a workshop converts a vehicle to LPG, it must check whether it is even suitable for this. It also has to provide information about the risks. If it does not do all of this and it is damaged, it must also replace it (OLG Frankfurt; Az. 8U211 /05).
Defective gas system and additional costs
In the case of a defective one Gas system can be withdrawn from the contract, but compensation for additional costs incurred in gasoline operation is not granted without further ado (OLG Oldenburg; Az. 13U59 /11).
Loss of performance after conversion
The customer has to accept performance losses when retrofitting (LG Osnabrück; Az. O2244 /09), as it is known that engines do not have the same performance in gas operation as in gasoline operation.