The restrictions on diesel cars are gradually strengthening in France and Paris is at the forefront. Find what are prohibited diesel cars and anticipate these changes by estimating your car now!
A market loss
With these restrictions, we have studied the share of second -hand diesel cars that have decreased in recent years. In France, the part of the second hand diesel sale increased from over 57.9% in 2020 to 47.1% in 2024.
Many motorists prefer to contact cleaner engines It is more precious for the resale, which affects the side of diesel vehicles. If you still have one diesel machineIt may be wise to sell it as long as it still maintains a certain value on the second market.
What are the prohibited diesel cars and in which cities?

For several years, Paris has strengthened its measures to reduce air pollution. The low -emission areas (ZFE) gradually limit themselves Most polluting vehicles. Yes, Diesels Crit’Air 5 and 4 are prohibited during the week. From 2025, more No diesel can circulatewhatever its year of production
| Type of car | Years of production | Paris | Lyon | Bordeaux | Marseille | Lille |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel Renault Clio II | Until 2005 | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Peugeot 307 HDI | 2001-2008 | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Mercedes C -Class W203 Diesel | 2000 – 2007 | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Volkswagen Golf IV TDI | 1997 – 2003 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Ford Mondeo Tdci | 2000 – 2014 | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Volkswagen Passat Tdi | 2005-2015 | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Audi A4 B7/B8 Diesel | 2004-2015 | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| The CDI XSARA HDI HDI. | 1997 – 2006 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Mercedes Class and W211 Diesel | 2002 – 2009 | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Opel Astra G Diesel | 1998 – 2004 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Peugeot 407 HDI | 2004 – 2011 | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| BMW Series 3 E46 Diesel | 1998 – 2006 | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Ford Focus I TDCI | 1998 – 2004 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Renault Mégane II DCI | 2002 – 2009 | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
If you have one of these models, it could be time to anticipate their resale before they lose even more value! With the restrictions that harden, their evaluation could fall quickly.
The restrictions on diesel cars are gradually strengthening in France, and Paris is at the forefront. Find out which diesel cars are prohibited and anticipate these changes by estimating your car’s value now!
A Market Loss
With these growing restrictions, the share of second-hand diesel cars has been steadily declining in recent years. In France, diesel vehicles represented over 57.9% of the second-hand market in 2020, but that figure dropped to 47.1% by 2024.
Many motorists are now choosing cleaner engines, such as electric or hybrid vehicles, as they are more future-proof and tend to retain higher resale value. This trend has led to a depreciation in the value of diesel vehicles. If you still own a diesel car, it might be wise to consider selling it now—while it still holds a reasonable market value.
What Diesel Cars Are Prohibited and In Which Cities?
The French government has implemented a Crit’Air sticker system, which classifies vehicles based on their emissions. Diesel cars registered before 2011 generally fall into Crit’Air categories 4 or 5 and are already restricted or completely banned in certain areas.
Here are some key zones affected:
-
Paris: Diesel cars with Crit’Air 4, 5, or without a sticker are banned inside the A86 ring road from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm.
-
Lyon and Grenoble: Similar restrictions are in place for older diesel cars within their low-emission zones.
-
Strasbourg, Marseille, Rouen, Nice: These cities are also progressively implementing low-emission zones (ZFE-m), which will increasingly restrict access for older diesel vehicles.
More cities are expected to join this initiative in the coming years, and the restrictions will tighten further. As such, switching to a more eco-friendly vehicle could help you avoid fines and ensure unrestricted mobility.
What alternatives to diesel cars?
Faced with the growing restrictions, Hybrid and electric cars seem to be the best alternatives.
- Hybrid car Combine an engine with heat and electric, thus reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. They are often compatible with ZFE and benefit from purchasing aid.
- 100 % of electric carsOn the other hand, they do not produce pollution emissions. More and more models offer comfortable autonomy and the charging infrastructure is increasing.
Some financial aid, such as Conversion bonus And the ecological bonus make these alternatives more accessible. It is therefore wise to anticipate this change to avoid future restrictions.
The city of Paris is gradually imposing stricter restrictions on diesel vehicles to reduce pollution and improve air quality. Starting January 1, 2025, vehicles with the Crit’Air 3 label will be banned from circulating in Paris and its surrounding suburbs. This primarily affects diesel vehicles registered before 2011 and gasoline vehicles registered before 2006.
These restrictions will be enforced from Monday to Friday, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., within the perimeter defined by the A86 highway. Both private cars and light commercial vehicles will be impacted by this measure.
For drivers with older diesel vehicles, it is advisable to consider alternatives, such as switching to electric or hybrid vehicles, or purchasing newer models that comply with current emission standards. Additionally, there is the option to obtain a “24-hour pass,” which allows for occasional circulation of non-compliant vehicles within the low-emission zone, subject to certain conditions.
It is essential for drivers to stay informed about these restrictions to avoid fines and contribute to the collective effort for a cleaner and healthier urban environment.
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