LPG / CNG cars: how to find a gas-and-petrol car without surprises
Why a gas kit is more than “a cylinder in the boot”
A car with a gas kit can in many cases give a clear saving on fuel, especially on high mileage. But the benefit depends on the quality of the installation itself. A badly tuned kit may not save money, and can eat valves and lead to repairs. So the price of a gas-fitted car cannot be compared with its petrol-only twin without allowing for the equipment.
On BlaBlaPrice you do not phone dozens of adverts. You write a request: which model, which kit, your budget. Sellers reply in chat with a price, photos and details of the installation, and the system shows the best-value offer first. Only the seller you choose sees your phone number.
What to find out about the gas equipment
The kit type decides how the system doses the gas. Simple kits suit older carburettor cars, while modern engines with direct or multipoint injection usually need a more advanced sequential system, and some engines need special systems, so ask a technician. Ask who fitted it and when, whether the cylinder and injector diaphragms were replaced, and when the gas kit was last serviced.
Paperwork is very important: is the kit recorded in the registration certificate, and are there papers for the cylinder and its validity period? Without this there can be problems with inspection and insurance. Also look at how much space the cylinder takes: in the spare-wheel well or a cylindrical one in the boot.
What to put in your request
- Model — for example Honda CR-V.
- Year — say 2016–2020.
- Type of kit — kit type and fuel: LPG or CNG.
- Paperwork for the kit — whether it is recorded in the registration papers.
- Engine and gearbox — petrol 1.5, manual.
- Kilometres — up to what figure you accept.
- Technical condition — running, no repairs needed.
- Budget and city.
Example: “I am looking for a Honda CR-V 2016–2020, petrol 1.5, manual, with a CNG kit recorded in the registration papers. Up to 100,000 km, running, no repairs needed. Melbourne, budget up to $8,500.”
How to compare offers
Compare not only the price but also how much has already been put into the car. A cheaper gas-fitted car without papers for the cylinder may turn out dearer. Ask for photos of the engine bay and the cylinder location, and a video of a cold start on petrol and on gas. Ask about gas and petrol consumption. During the inspection, take the car to a workshop that knows gas kits and check the system for leaks.
If you are considering options without gas, look at used cars, and for saving on fuel, hybrid cars. If you are ready for repairs, look at cars for parts.
Gas consumption and servicing cost also affect the price: cheap gas will not pay off if the engine is already tired. For turbocharged or direct-injection engines, ask separately whether anyone has experience of running them on gas.
Common mistakes
Taking a gas car without asking about the cylinder’s validity period. Not telling a quality installation from a makeshift one. Not allowing for the fact that a gas kit needs regular servicing: filters, spark plugs, adjustment. To see how the service works, go to the “How it works” page.
