How to check if your car can run on E10 petrol

You’ve probably heard the news by now that this summer, E10 will become the standard (95 octane) petrol grade in Great Britain. We’re taking a look at how to check if your car is compatible, what to do if it isn’t and the reasons behind the switch.

Why are we switching to E10?

E10 petrol contains 5% more renewable ethanol that the current UK petrol – E5. Switching to E10 will help to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with petrol vehicles and help to tackle climate change.

According to government statistics ‘The introduction of E10 petrol at UK forecourts could cut transport CO2 emissions by 750,000 tonnes a year – the equivalent of taking 350,000 cars off the road, or all the cars in North Yorkshire.’ – With that kind of impact we’re expecting most people will be more than happy to get onboard with the change.

How do I check if my car is compatible?

Luckily there is a handy online tool to check if your vehicle is compatible with E10 fuel.

Visit Check if your vehicle can run on E10 petrol and click the ‘Start Now’ button.

1. Make sure you read the ‘Important E10 information’
2. Select your vehicle manufacturer from the drop down list
3. You will get a message to tell you if your make is compatible with E10 and any models that aren’t

If you are still unsure if your vehicle is E10 compatible, the government suggests the following;

• check the vehicle owner’s manual, the instructional booklet is specific to your vehicle
• look inside of the fuel filler flap
• ask the car, motorcycle or scooter manufacturer

What if my car isn’t compatible with E10 fuel?

A small number of older vehicles, including classic cars and some from the early 2000s, will continue to need E5 fuel. If your vehicle falls into this category you should continue to use E5 petrol in the ‘super’ grade (97+ octane), which will remain available at many larger filling stations.

We’ve already taken a look through the website, and although most cars registered after 1992 are compatible with the E10 fuel, there are a few surprising exceptions…

The popular Ford Mondeo 1.8 SCI made from 2003 to 2007 will need to continue to use E5. With some of those models only being 15 years old, there’s likely to be plenty still on the road!

Owners of a Volkswagen Polo – 1.4 litre (63kW) FSI made from February 2002 to June 2006 will also need to be aware that the E10 fuel isn’t compatible.

At CarTakeBack, we’ll be interested to see if there’s a rise in non-compatible models coming through our recycling centres!

We strongly suggest you check your car on the government website as well as reading all of the other useful information on what to do if you accidentally use the wrong fuel type.

Compatible or not, if you’re thinking it’s time to retire your old car, you can always get an instant online quote from CarTakeBack.