One of the biggest worries right now is, will E10 fuel damage my car? We also get asked it quite a lot on our online chat, so let’s answer it in full.

Will E10 fuel damage my car?

Maybe. Classic and some specific vehicles from the early 2000s could be damaged by using E10 fuel. Along with some older mopeds, particularly those with 50cc or less, may also be incompatible with E10 – but we cover that more in our ‘Will E10 fuel damage my motorcycle’ article.

The best way to check is to use one of the E10 Fuel Checkers, but generally speaking, most vehicles built after 2011 are fine using E10 fuel. All new vehicles since 2016 have been performance and emissions tested for use with E10.

Ok, but I’m still worried about using E10 fuel. What should I do?

Older vehicles can be damaged by using E10 because the higher ethanol value can break down rubber seals and plastic components. Autocar has also said that E10 could dislodge deposits in fuel systems which might cause blockages, leading to repair bills.

If you don’t want to switch to E10, you can use higher octane ‘premium’ fuels, 97-99 Ron, aka ‘super unleaded’. They’re still E5, which means you’ll pay extra to fill up, but it could keep you out of a garage.

The other solution is to buy a solution…of E10 stabiliser. Wynns Specialist E10 Petrol Fuel Protector is one option, and so is Putoline E10 Fuel Fighter. Both aim to protect the fuel system from the effects of using E10 petrol. Both versions are multi-shot; you should use 50ml each time you fill up. So a 250ml bottle will last you for five tanks.

To find out more about E10, read the FAQ’s on our E10 Fuel Checker UK page.