E10 petrol, which is made with up to 10% bioethanol – a type of renewable fuel – will be the standard offering at forecourts as part of Government plans to cut carbon emissions.

It is replacing E5 petrol, blended with up to 5% bioethanol.

Only petrol vehicles can use the fuel; diesel and electric vehicles cannot use E10 petrol.

However, the fuel is not compatible with all cars – especially some older models.

In fact, a 2020 assessment estimated that around 600,000 cars, such as classic cars or those built in the early 2000s, would be incompatible with the new fuel this year.

What happens if you use the incorrect fuel?

According to leading automotive services company, RAC, if you put the fuel in an incompatible car it will still run but it could damage your car in the long-term.

Seals, plastics and metals may be damaged over longer periods as a result of bioethanol's corrosive properties. 

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “Those with E10 compatible cars will unfortunately find they are getting fewer miles to the gallon as the fuel is less efficient than E5 fuel, due to it containing 5% more ethanol.

“Owners of classic cars need to be particularly careful not to accidentally fill up with E10 and then leave it sat in the tank for long periods, as this will likely lead to expensive damaged seals, plastics and metals.

“But people who fill up a non-compliant car with E10 don’t need to panic. They shouldn’t suffer any lasting damage to their vehicle as long as they put the correct fuel in as soon as possible – when around a third to half the tank is used.

“While using up the fuel they may, however, experience a little poor cold starting and rough running.”

How can I check if my vehicle is incompatible with E10 fuel?

The government is urging people to check if their vehicle can run on the petrol via their website.

You’ll need to know the vehicle manufacturer to use the service. You may also need the vehicle model, engine size and year it was manufactured. Most petrol vehicles will be able to use E10.

If you’re not sure of any of this information, check the log book (V5C) for your vehicle. You also might be able to get vehicle information online.

According to the RAC, drivers of cars registered prior to 2002 are advised not to use E10 in their vehicle, as problems have been reported.

And as of 2011, all new cars sold in the UK must be E10 compatible.

Full list of cars that can and can’t use the E10 fuel

This information was taken from the Gov.uk website; here is a list of vehicle manufacturers and their E10 fuel requirements:

Abarth

All models from model year 2008 are suitable for use with E10 petrol. Older models should use E5.

Alfa Romeo

E10 petrol is cleared for use in all new Alfa Romeo models with petrol engines produced from 1st January 2011.

In addition, E10 petrol is cleared for use in the following Alfa Romeo models with petrol engines:

• MiTo (all engines)
• Giulietta (all engines)
• 159: 1.8 16V, 1.8 TBi 16V, 3.2 JTS V6
• Brera: 1.8 TBi 16V, 3.2 JTS V6
• Spider: 1.8 TBi 16V, 3.2 JTS V6
• 8C: 4.7 32V

If the above does not apply to your vehicle, use E5 petrol.

Audi:

E10 petrol is cleared for use in all Audi petrol driven vehicles, excluding the following vehicles:

First generation direct injection engines including:

• Audi A2 1.6 FSI, model years 2003-2005
• Audi A3 1.6 FSI, model year 2004
• Audi A3 2.0 FSI, model year 2004
• Audi A4 2.0 FSI, model years 2003-2004
• Audi A4 Saloon petrol engine models with OEM parking heater, of model years 2001-2008.
• Audi A4 Avant petrol engine models with OEM parking heater of model years 2002- 2008.

BMW :

All petrol engine BMW models are cleared for the use of E10 petrol regardless of their year of manufacture.

Citroen :

All cars with petrol engines are E10 (EN228) compatible since January 1, 2000. Older petrol cars should continue to use E5.

Dacia :

E10 can be used in all petrol driven Dacia vehicles.

Daihatsu :

E10 petrol is cleared for use in the following models with petrol engines:

• Cuore L276: from production-date 25th April 2008.
• Trevis L651: from production-date 8th May 2008.
• Sirion M3: from market introduction.
• Materia M4: from market introduction.
• Terios J2: from market introduction.
• Copen L881: from production-date 25th April 2008.

Owners have been advised to contact Daihatsu service centre for confirmation of E10 compatibility of individual vehicles.

Fiat :

Owners of these vehicles, and Fiat cars from before 2001 should continue to use E5 petrol:

• Barchetta: 1.8 litre
• Bravo/Brava (Type 182): 1.6 litre
• Doblò: 1.6 litre
• Marea: 1.6 and 2.0 litre
• Multipla: 1.6 litre
• Palio: 1.6 litre
• Punto (Type 188): 1.8 litre
• Stilo: 1.6 litre (only displacement 1.596 cm3), Stilo 1.8 litre and Stilo 2.4 litre

Ford :

This model and Ford models sold before 1992 should continue to use E5:

Ford Mondeo 1.8 SCI from 2003 to 2007.

Honda :

All Honda cars that do not use fuel injection should continue to use E5.

Hyundai :

All Hyundai cars with a petrol engine can use E10 petrol without limitation.

Jaguar:

E10 petrol is cleared for use in all Jaguar vehicles with petrol engines starting from model year 1992. Older models should continue to use E5.

Kia :

All Kia cars with a petrol engine can use E10 petrol without limitation.

Land Rover :

E10 petrol is cleared for use in all Land Rover vehicles with petrol engines starting from model year 1996. Older vehicles should continue to use E5.

Lexus :

E10 petrol is cleared for use in all Lexus European petrol models made from January, 1998, excluding:

• IS250 2.5 litre V6 with engine 4GR-FSE made between August 2005 and September 2007.
• GS300 3.0 litre V6 with engine 3GR-FSE made between January 2005 and September 2007.
• LS460 4.6 litre V8 with engine 1UR-FSE made between August 2006 and September 2007. /n/nThese models, and those produced before 1998 should continue to use E5.

Mazda :

E10 petrol is cleared for use in all models with petrol engines introduced in and from the year 2002, Mazda6 (GG/GY) and models with petrol engines introduced thereafter, namely:

*Mazda 2 (dy/de) *.Mazda 3 (bk/bl) *Mazda 5 (cr/cw) *Mazda mx-5 (nc) *Mazda cx-5 (ke) *Mazda 6 (gg/gy/gh) *Mazda cx-7 (er) *Mazda cx-9 (tb) *Mazda rx-8 (se)

Conditions are that the vehicle has not been modified and original parts have been used for maintenance and repair.

Older models, and those not listed above should continue to use E5 petrol.

Mercedes-Benz :

E10 petrol is cleared for use in the vast majority of all Mercedes Benz vehicles with petrol engines, except:

• First generation direct injection C200 CGI (W203), CLK 200 CGI series (C209) of the years 2002 – 2005;
• Models not equipped with three-way catalysts, models retrofitted with three-way catalysts or produced with a carburettor. These are mainly vehicles older than 25 years.

Mini :

E10 is cleared for use in all MINI models with petrol engine after the re-launch of the MINI brand in the year 2000.

Misubishi :

E10 petrol is cleared for use in all models with petrol engines except those equipped with the GDI engine (gasoline direct injection) until 2007 models.

Nissan :

E10 petrol is cleared for use in all models with petrol engines from January 1, 2000. Older petrol models should continue to use E5.

Peugeot :

All cars with petrol engines are E10 compatible since January 1, 2000. Older petrol models should continue to use E5.

All Peugeot mopeds from model year 2000 are E10 compatible.

Porsche :

E10 petrol is cleared for use in Porsche vehicles with petrol engines since the 1998 model year and all Boxster models with petrol engines since the 1997 model year.

The Carrera GT is not cleared for use with E10 petrol.

Renault :

E10 petrol is cleared for use in all Renault petrol vehicles marketed since January 1, 1997, except for the following models:

• Megane 1 with 2.0 litre F5R direct injection petrol engine (1999 – 2003)
• Laguna 2 with 2.0 litre F5R direct injection petrol engine (2001 – 2003)
• Laguna 2 with 2.0 litre F4R Turbo engine (2000 – 2002)
• Espace 4 with 2.0 litre F4R Turbo engine (2000 – 2002)
• Velsatis with 2.0 litre F4R Turbo engine (2000 – 2002)
• Avantime with 2.0 litre F4R Turbo engine (2000 – 2002)

Saab :

All Saab vehicles with petrol engines produced since the mid 1980s are cleared for use with E10 petrol. If in doubt use E5 petrol.

Seat :

E10 petrol is cleared for use in all SEAT vehicles with petrol engines except the following models with the first generation of FSI engines:

• Toledo 2.0 litre (110kW) FSI ‘BLR’ manufactured from September 2004 to November
• Leon 2.0 litre (110kW) FSI ‘BLR’ manufactured from July 2005 to November 2005
• Altea 2.0 litre (110kW) FSI ‘BLR’ manufactured from May 2004 to November 2005

NOTE: If your vehicle is listed above you should continue to use E5 petrol. If you are unsure please contact your local Seat dealer.

Škoda :

E10 petrol is cleared for use in all ŠKODA vehicles with petrol engines with the following exceptions:

• Felicia 1.3 litre OHV (40kw and 50kW) engines in the production years 1994 to 2001
• Other ŠKODA models using the 1.3 litre OHV engines produced prior to 1994.

Toyota :

E10 petrol is cleared for use in all Toyota European petrol models made from January 1998, excluding:

• Avensis 2.0 litre with engine 1AZ-FSE made between July 2000 and October 2008.
• Avensis 2.4 litre with engine 2AZ-FSE made between June 2003 and October 2008.

These models, and those produced before 1998 should continue to use E5.

Vauxhall :

E10 petrol is cleared for use in all Vauxhall vehicles with petrol engines, excluding:

• Models with the 2.2 litre direct injection petrol engine, motor code: Z22YH (Vectra, Signum, Zafira) which should continue to use E5 petrol.

Volkswagen :

With the exception to those models listed below, which used the first generation FSI engines, E10 is cleared for use in all Volkswagen petrol engine vehicles.

• Bora - 1.6 litre (81kW) FSI Saloon and Estate made from October 2001 to September 2005
• Golf mark 4 - 1.6 litre (81kW) FSI made from November 2001 to May 2004
• Golf mark 4 Estate - 1.6 litre (81kW) FSI made from October 2001 to October 2006
• Golf mark 5 - 1.4 litre (66kW) FSI made from November 2003 to November 2004
• Golf mark 5 - 1.6 litre (85kw) FSI made from August 2003 to May 2004
• Golf mark 5 2.0 litre (110 kW) FSI made from January 2004 to May 2004
• Lupo – 1.4 litre (77kW) FSI made from August 2001 to November 2003
• Polo – 1.4 litre (63kW) FSI made from February 2002 to June 2006
• Touran – 1.6 litre (85kW) FSI made from November 2002 to May 2004
• Touran – 2.0 litre (110kW) FSI made from October 2003 to May 2004

Volvo :

E10 petrol is cleared for use in all Volvo cars with petrol engines introduced to the market since 1976 based upon servicing and other conditions according to the equipment and material with which the vehicle was originally equipped.

E10 petrol is not cleared for a limited number of S/V40 models with petrol engines produced in the mid-1990s with engine type 1.8 GDI. These should continue to use E5.

Not all manufacturers publish E10 fuel compatibility. This includes many classic manufactures, companies which are no longer trading and more specialist brands.

If you're not sure if you can use E10 in your vehicle, you could:

• 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 / local dealer

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