Is Paying More for Premium Fuel Really Worth It?

In the UK, drivers can choose to put regular or premium fuel in their vehicles - which naturally cost more per litre than standard petrol or diesel. Using live fuel prices from the 14^th April 2026, premium petrol costs 16.6p per litre more than regular unleaded, while premium B7+ diesel costs 18.1p per litre more than regular diesel.

This means that choosing regular fuel instead of the premium option could save you between £5 and £9 every time you fill up. If you fill up your tank twice a month, that adds up to a whopping £159.84 a year for a petrol Vauxhall Corsa!¹

While certain drivers will see some benefits to using premium fuel (as we’ll explain below), the impact on the average vehicle doesn’t really outweigh the extra cost.

If you’re looking to save money on your running costs this year, avoiding premium fuel might just be the place to start – especially if your vehicle is designed to run on E10 petrol or B7 diesel.

What is Premium Fuel?

Premium fuel refers to super unleaded (E5) or branded premium diesel (B7+), such as Shell V-Power, BP Ultimate and Esso Synergy Supreme+. They’re formulated with higher octane ratings or additional detergents that can support more efficient combustion in engines designed for them and may also help keep fuel system components cleaner over time – without containing more energy than regular fuel.

But that extra quality can come at a cost.

The Cost of Premium Fuel: 17p per Litre More Expensive Than Regular Fuel

We sampled petrol stations in major towns and cities to understand the true cost of premium fuel, and how much more it would cost the average driver to fill their tank than if they used regular fuel.

The answer? Around 17p more per litre, on average.

All data accurate as of 14^th April 2026

Our analysis found that premium petrol cost 175.1p per litre, on average, 16.6p per litre more than regular petrol.

Premium diesel cost 210.2p (over £2) a litre, compared to 189.3 per litre for regular diesel – 18.1p per litre more.

But what does that really mean for your wallet?

Well, if you drive a Range Rover Sport, a tank of premium fuel would cost you around £17 more than a tank of regular fuel.

All prices are based on filling the respective fuel tank from empty to fuel, based on the average cost of premium and regular petrol and diesel as of 14th April 2026. Prices may vary depending on your specific make and model and chosen fuel station.

Okay, But Can’t I Shop Around to Find a Better Price for Fuel?

Shopping around to find the best fuel price near you is a great idea as you can save up to around 16pa litre, on average, on premium fuel and 7p a litre on regular fuel by buying it at a supermarket (which is often suggested as the cheapest, most cost-efficient option).

All prices accurate as of 14th April 2026

While that might not seem like a massive saving, choosing to fill up at a supermarket vs one of the UK’s big fuel brands could save you £362 per year if you do choose to use premium petrol – so it all adds up!²

Even choosing to buy regular fuel at a supermarket can save you nearly £150 a year vs buying branded fuel. ³

It pays to be savvy and shop around, especially as fuel prices vary depending on where you live in the UK.

How Much Does Premium Fuel Cost Near Me?

We sampled fuel prices across 10 major UK cities to understand where drivers are paying the least, and most, for fuel.

Of the cities we sampled, drivers in Cardiff were least likely to feel the brunt of paying for premium petrol, with the average litre only costing 13p more than regular fuel. By contrast, the average driver in Manchester would pay almost an extra 19p per litre by choosing premium fuel - nearly £8 more for a full 40 litre fillup!

All data accurate as of 14th April 2026

For diesel drivers, the increased cost was even more stark. Once again, Cardiff fuel stations had the smallest pence per litre difference between premium and regular diesel - but a full 40 litre tank of premium diesel will still set the average driver back £6 more than a tank of regular fuel. For the average driver in Birmingham, where there was a near 23p per litre difference between premium and regular fuel, that rises to more than £9!

All data accurate as of 14th April 2026

So, even if you live in an area where fuel costs are lower and you shop around for the best price on premium fuel, choosing it instead of regular fuel will massively increase your monthly running costs.

At a time we’re all looking to cut costs wherever we can, spending up to £650 more a year⁴ on premium fuel had better be worth it.

Yet, for the average driver, that likely isn’t the case.

Who Does Premium Fuel Benefit?

Drivers who benefit most from using premium vs regular fuel include:

• High performance or sports car owners, whose vehicles are specifically designed to run on E5 or B7+

• Those with turbocharged petrol engines who regularly run them under load (i.e. often carrying heavy objects)

• High-mileage diesel drivers who frequently make long motorway trips

• Older cars not compatible with E10 petrol

Premium fuel typically doesn’t bring noticeable benefits to miles per gallon (MPG), engine brake horsepower or every day driving performance for most drivers. While it may support engine cleanliness and combustion efficiency in some vehicles, this is only possible over time through repeated use, not after just one tank.

And that means that choosing regular fuel is often the smart option, unless your manufacturer recommends premium petrol or diesel or your car is too old to use E10 unleaded petrol.

If My Vehicle Needs Premium Fuel, How Can I Keep Costs Down?

While the need to use premium fuel may seem daunting, it doesn’t mean you can’t still save yourself a bit of cash every time you fill up.

Jessica Ruddick, Chief Marketing Officer at BookMyGarage, explains how: “Although it may seem more convenient to fill up at the petrol station round the corner or on your way to work, shopping around for the best price on premium fuel is a great way to keep costs under control. In fact, understanding where the best prices are each day can help you save up to £5 a tank.

“If you fill up twice a month, this simple habit can save you nearly £120 a year. For many drivers, this goes a long way towards their annual MOT & service costs or annual road tax.”

Where Can I Compare Fuel Prices Near Me?

Whether you’re looking for the best price on premium fuel or want to save as much as you can on regular unleaded or diesel, use our free fuel finder tool to see what local petrol stations are charging per litre.

Information on our fuel finder is updated daily, showing the cost of petrol and diesel at local fuel stations as well as petrol and diesel availability and any amenities offered at each petrol station.

Just log in or sign up for a MyGarage account to start comparing fuel prices near you and find the best deal in seconds!

Is Paying More for Premium Fuel Really Worth It?

While some vehicles are designed to use premium petrol or diesel, the average driver is likely to see little to no benefit because it doesn’t improve MPG or engine performance. Any improvements you might see are likely to be negligible unless you regularly fill up with premium fuel – and the cost of doing so can quickly rack up.

So then, is premium petrol or diesel worth an extra couple of hundred pounds a year? Jessica has this advice for drivers considering their options: “At a time where we’re seeing many drivers looking to cut costs wherever possible, choosing regular petrol or diesel instead of premium alternatives may be your smartest choice.

“Unless your vehicle needs premium fuel as specified by the manufacturer, you’re unlikely to see enough benefit to justify the additional cost.”

¹Based on the cost of filling a 40 litre tank from empty to full with premium petrol vs regular petrol twice a month for a year. For representative purposes only. Fuel prices accurate as of 14^th April 2026

²Based on the cost of filling a 40 litre tank from empty to full with premium petrol at a supermarket vs Shell twice a month for a year. Average costs used for representative purposes only. Fuel prices accurate as of 14^th April 2026.

³ Based on the cost of filling a 40 litre tank from empty to full with regular petrol at a supermarket vs Shell and BP twice a month for a year. Average costs used for representative purposes only. Fuel prices accurate as of 14^th April 2026.

⁴ Based on the cost of filling a 40 litre tank from empty to full with regular petrol at a supermarket vs premium petrol at Shell twice a month for a year. Average costs used for representative purposes only. Fuel prices accurate as of 14^th April 2026.