Fuel Types & Quality
Petrol vs Diesel
Is unleaded petrol or diesel?
CheckFuelPrices Editorial
Expert Written • 4 industry sources
Unleaded is petrol, not diesel. The term 'unleaded' simply means the petrol does not contain lead additives — it is the standard petrol sold at every UK forecourt, currently in the form of E10.
What Does 'Unleaded' Mean?
Petrol without lead:
Unleaded refers to petrol from which lead additives have been removed. Leaded petrol was banned in the UK in 2000, so all petrol sold today is unleaded by default.
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Nothing to do with diesel:
Diesel is an entirely different fuel type, refined differently and used in diesel engines. It has never contained lead additives and is not referred to as unleaded.
What Is Unleaded Petrol in the UK Today?
E10 is the UK standard unleaded:
Since September 2021, the standard unleaded petrol at UK pumps is E10 — a blend of 90% petrol and up to 10% bioethanol. It is labelled E10 on pump nozzles.
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E5 is the premium alternative:
E5 (up to 5% ethanol) remains available as the 'Super Unleaded' or premium grade petrol for vehicles not compatible with E10.
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Look for the pump label:
UK forecourts are required to display standardised fuel labels. Petrol pumps show a circle symbol; diesel pumps show a square symbol — making it easy to identify the correct fuel.
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Petrol vs Diesel: Key Differences
Different engines, different fuels:
Petrol (unleaded) and diesel are not interchangeable. Using the wrong fuel in your vehicle — known as misfuelling — can cause serious engine damage.
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Check your fuel cap:
If you are unsure whether your car takes petrol or diesel, check the inside of your fuel cap or your vehicle handbook — it will be clearly stated.
Finding the Right Fuel at the Right Price
Prices differ by fuel type:
Diesel and unleaded petrol are priced differently at UK stations, and prices vary significantly between forecourts in the same area.
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Compare live prices near you:
CheckFuelPrices shows live petrol and diesel prices at 4,000+ UK stations, updated every 30 minutes, so you can find the cheapest correct fuel near you.
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Sources
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