HPI is displaying future valuations online via a free service which comes in direct response to increasing negativity and bad publicity surrounding diesel vehicles and usage.

Pressure is mounting on the government to introduce measures to remove the most polluting vans, taxis and cars from the roads, leaving owners of diesel vehicles concerned about the future values of their vehicles.

HPI claims that this is the first time car buyers and sellers have been presented with free future vehicle valuations.

The service is available for a limited period of two months “to help calm the fears of diesel vehicle owners”, according to HPI.

For cars under five years old future valuations up to five years in the future are provided.

Fernando Garcia, consumer director at HPI, said: “We’ve enhanced our valuations service in an attempt to combat the negativity surrounding diesel.

“And although the free future valuations will be of great interest to all drivers looking to sell or buy their vehicles it will be particularly useful to owners of diesel vehicles who may be worried about what the future holds for their vehicle’s value.

“HPI has more than 30 years’ experience supplying valuations to the motoring trade, and now consumers can have the same confidence and peace of mind. The data used to compile the valuations is based on the latest reliable market information generated by genuine market experts with all valuations completely independent of dealers or manufacturer influence.”

Business organisations and charities have been urging the Government to take positive steps to reduce air pollution drastically, much of which comes from traffic fumes and diesel vehicles.

Andrew Mee, Senior Forecasting Editor at HPI, said: “There has been a great deal of negativity around diesel values and the situation is complex.

“In some sectors, the diesel premium over petrol has been declining for some time, so this is not a new phenomenon; in other sectors diesel still makes sense and values have been holding up relatively well.

“In our forecasts, we have already built in higher annual deflation for diesel (over petrol) in some sectors, and will be reviewing this again in the next few months.”