Is Your Vehicle at Risk from Cheap Fuel?

From second hand wheels to sleek sports cars, drivers can be incredibly picky when it comes to what fuel they use. But does it actually make a difference? With Costco recently announcing plans to sell some of the cheapest fuel in the UK at one of its Derby outlets, questions have been raised over whether there are any risks associated with the quality of the product, and if it could damage a car’s engine.

British Standards

Officially, all petrol and diesel sold in the UK must conform to the relevant British Standards. This means that drivers should be able to buy and mix the same grade of fuel from different outlets, without encountering any engine issues. Basically, fuel is made up of two elements – a ‘base’ fuel which is sourced from standard refineries, and a cocktail of additives. The latter are the extra ingredients that claim to keep the engine cleaner or enhance lubrication. It’s the additives that technically increase quality, and each manufacturer opts for its own secret recipe.

Hitting top gear

Another hotly debated question is whether branded fuel improves car performance, and if cheap supermarket blends could hinder it. According to the experts, it’s hard to prove and opinions vary wildly depending on who is asked. Some motoring commentators claim that high-grade fuels deliver better economy, a cleaner engine and a smoother drive. Meanwhile, others argue that there’s zero benefit to paying more.

The final verdict

Ultimately, motorists should be able to rest assured that any fuel they purchase complies with the UK’s strict standards. This guarantee is backed by the RAC, with a spokesperson reassuring drivers that "All fuel sold in the UK has to comply with stringent quality standards so it's generally fine to shop around for cheap supermarket fuel."

The AA agrees, pointing out that all fuel sales are governed by British regulations, and reminding motorists that "very often, fuel for different supermarket and non-supermarket retail chains will come from the same refinery or depot."

So, does cheap fuel damage engines? According to the pros, the answer is no.

That said, in some cases branded fuels can perform better, and actively improve engine performance. Want to know more about the art of creating high efficiency fuel? ‘OptiFuel: A Game-Changer in Rapid Fuel Analysis Using Cutting-Edge FT-IR technology’ spotlights a new solution that allows retailers to measure fuel properties with minimal training, from day one.