Fuel Types & Quality
Supermarket Fuel
Is supermarket fuel bad?
CheckFuelPrices Editorial
Expert Written • 4 industry sources
No, supermarket fuel is not bad for your car. All petrol and diesel sold in the UK must meet the same British Standards — BS EN 228 for petrol and BS EN 590 for diesel — whether you buy it at Asda or a branded forecourt.
All UK Fuel Meets the Same Legal Standard
Legally enforced quality:
Every litre of fuel sold at UK forecourts must comply with government fuel quality regulations. Supermarket fuel is subject to exactly the same rules as branded fuel from Shell or BP.
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Same refineries, same base fuel:
Supermarket and branded fuels frequently originate from the same refineries and are transported through shared pipelines. The base product is chemically identical at that stage.
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E10 is the UK standard petrol:
Since September 2021, E10 (containing up to 10% bioethanol) is the standard grade at all UK forecourts, including supermarkets. All stations selling petrol must comply.
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Where Supermarket Fuel Actually Differs
Additive packages vary:
Branded stations add proprietary detergent and cleaning additives above the legal minimum. Supermarket fuel meets the minimum requirement but typically uses a simpler additive package.
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Relevant mainly for high-performance engines:
For the vast majority of everyday drivers, the difference in additive concentration has no meaningful impact on engine performance or longevity.
Premium grades still available:
If you want higher-spec additives, supermarkets like Tesco and Morrisons also sell premium unleaded grades at a price premium — though still typically cheaper than branded equivalents.
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The Price Case for Supermarket Fuel
Typically 3–8p per litre cheaper:
Supermarkets use fuel as a footfall driver, pricing it below branded stations. Over a full tank, that saving is often £2–£5 or more.
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Prices vary even between supermarkets:
Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Morrisons prices can differ by several pence per litre in the same town on the same day. Checking before you fill up is worth it.
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How to Find the Cheapest Fuel Near You
Live prices updated every 30 minutes:
CheckFuelPrices shows live petrol and diesel prices at 4,000+ UK stations, including all major supermarkets, so you can see exactly where is cheapest before you leave home.
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Search by postcode or town:
Enter your postcode, town name, or allow GPS access to instantly compare nearby stations — no account required.
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Sources
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