Supermarket Fuel vs Premium Fuel: Is There a Difference?

Summary

• All UK fuel meets the same standards: Whether it comes from Tesco or Shell, it meets British Standards.
• Premium fuel has higher octane: This helps high-performance engines but makes little difference in standard cars.
• Supermarket fuel is fine for most cars: Save your money unless your car specifically requires premium. Use our fuel finder to compare prices near you.

You are at the pump. Standard unleaded is £1.35. The premium version is £1.55. Is it worth the extra 20p per litre? Let us find out.

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All UK Fuel Meets the Same Standard

Every fuel sold in the UK must meet British Standard EN 228 (for petrol) or EN 590 (for diesel). This applies to supermarkets and big oil companies alike.

The base fuel is the same. The difference is in the additives that each company adds.

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What Is Octane Rating?

Fuel Type	Octane Rating	Price Difference
Standard unleaded (E10)	95 RON	Base price
Super unleaded	97-99 RON	+10-20p per litre
Premium (e.g. V-Power)	99 RON	+15-25p per litre

Higher octane fuel resists knocking (premature ignition). This matters in high-compression engines. In a standard family car, you will not notice the difference.

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Do Fuel Additives Matter?

Oil companies add cleaning agents and performance boosters to their premium fuels. Claims include:

• Better engine cleaning.
• Improved fuel economy.
• Reduced emissions.
• Smoother running.

There is some truth to this, but the benefits are small. You are unlikely to notice a difference in everyday driving.

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When Should You Use Premium Fuel?

• Your car requires it: Some performance cars and turbocharged engines are designed for 97+ RON. Check your owner's manual.
• Older cars that knock: Higher octane can reduce knocking in older engines.
• Occasional tank: Some drivers use a tank of premium every few months as a "clean out." This is unlikely to cause harm but the benefits are debatable.

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Supermarket Fuel Myths

• "Supermarket fuel damages engines": Not true. It meets the same standards as any other fuel.
• "It has fewer additives": True, but the base fuel is the same quality. The fewer additives rarely matter.
• "Premium gives better MPG": Any improvement is tiny. The extra cost per litre far outweighs any fuel saving.

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How to Save Money on Fuel

1. Use supermarket fuel for everyday driving.
2. Compare prices with our fuel price finder.
3. Use loyalty cards for extra savings.
4. Drive smoothly. Avoid harsh acceleration.
5. Keep your tyres at the correct pressure.

Read our fuel saving guide for more tips.

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Final Thoughts

For most UK drivers, supermarket fuel is perfectly fine. Save your money and fill up where it is cheapest. Only use premium if your car specifically needs it.

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