Vanadium oxide catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation of ammonium metavanadate (AM) on an amorphous zirconia with different vanadium loading, in order to increase the performance in oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of dibenzothiophene compounds present in diesel fuel. In addition, to evaluate the preparation method effect, V2O5/ZrO2 catalysts, were prepared by coprecipitation of alkoxide precursors of V and Zr, and by impregnation of AM on a support prepared by the sol-gel method (zirconia or zirconia-alumina mixed oxide). Catalysts were characterized by several techniques: X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, temperature-programmed reduction, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray, and N-2 adsorption-desorption. Results Showed ODS performance depended upon the superficial V species, vanadium loading, and preparation method of the catalyst. The highest ODS activity was obtained with the catalyst prepared by impregnation on an amorphous zirconia and V loading close to a monolayer coverage.