Is Paying More for Premium Fuel Really Worth It?

In the UK, the choice between regular and premium fuel is one most drivers face every time they pull up to the pump. Using live fuel prices from June 2026, premium petrol costs 18.3p per litre more than regular unleaded, while premium B7+ diesel costs 20.9p per litre more than regular diesel.

That means choosing regular fuel over the premium option could save you between £7 and £11 every time you fill up. Fill up twice a month, and that adds up to £175.44 a year for a petrol Vauxhall Corsa.¹

For a small group of drivers (those with high-performance engines, older vehicles or turbocharged cars that require a higher octane rating), there are genuine reasons to pay more. For most of us, though, the numbers just don't add up.

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+.

The key difference for petrol is the octane rating. Standard unleaded (E10) has a Research Octane Number (RON) of 95. Premium fuels typically offer 97–99 RON. Octane isn't a measure of energy, it's a measure of a fuel's resistance to 'knocking', which is when the air-fuel mixture in an engine's cylinder ignites prematurely. Think of it like a boiling kettle building too much pressure before the valve opens: the result is inefficient and, in severe cases, damaging.

High-performance engines with high compression ratios, like those found in BMW M-series, Porsche and AMG models, are more prone to knocking on standard 95 RON fuel and can genuinely benefit from a higher octane rating. Most everyday cars, however, are engineered to run perfectly well on 95 RON.

For diesel, the relevant factor is cleaning additives, not the octane rating. Premium diesel (B7+) contains higher concentrations of detergent additives designed to shift carbon deposits from injectors and fuel system components, potentially supporting cleaner combustion over time. It's a maintenance benefit rather than a performance one.

The Cost of Premium Fuel: Around 18p per Litre More 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 costs the average driver compared to filling up on regular petrol or diesel.

The answer? Around 18p more per litre, on average.

All data accurate as of June 2026

Our analysis found that premium petrol cost p per litre, on average, 18.3p per litre more than regular petrol.

Premium diesel cost 195p a litre, compared to 174.1 per litre for regular diesel – 20.9p per litre more.

What does that actually mean at the pump? For a Range Rover Sport driver, a full tank of premium fuel costs around £20 more than regular. For a Vauxhall Corsa driver, it's around £8 — but that cost compounds quickly.

All prices are based on filling the respective fuel tank from empty to fuel, using the average cost of premium and regular petrol and diesel as of June 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 17p a litre on premium fuel and 14p a litre on regular fuel by choosing a supermarket fuel station over one of the big fuel brands.

All prices accurate as of June 2026

Choosing to fill up at a supermarket versus Shell, for example, could save you £159 per year if you regularly use premium petrol.²

Even switching to regular petrol at a supermarket instead of buying branded fuel can save you over £130 a year.³

It pays to be savvy and shop around, especially as fuel prices vary noticeably 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 15p more than regular fuel. By contrast, the average driver in Leeds would pay about 25p per litre more by choosing premium fuel - over £7 more for a full 40 litre fill-up.

All data accurate as of June 2026

For diesel drivers, the increased cost was even more stark. In Edinburgh, where the gap between regular and premium diesel was over 25p per litre, a full 40-litre tank of premium diesel costs more than £10 extra. This adds up fast if you fill up weekly.

All data accurate as of June 2026

Even in the areas with the lowest premiums, choosing premium over regular fuel will add meaningfully to your monthly running costs. For many drivers, that could mean spending up to £650 more a year on fuel alone.⁴

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.

Does Your Car Actually Need Premium Fuel?

Before writing off premium fuel entirely, it's worth answering one key question: does your specific car need it?

Check your fuel filler cap or your owner's manual. If it states '98 RON', 'super unleaded only', or '97+ RON recommended', your engine is designed for premium fuel and you should use it. Running a high-performance engine on standard 95 RON fuel can damage the knock sensor and knock ignition timing out of sync, which actually reduces both power and efficiency.

For these drivers, premium is a requirement, not an upgrade.

There is also a significant group of drivers who have no choice: anyone with a vehicle made before 2011 that is not E10 compatible. When the UK switched its standard unleaded grade to E10 (which contains up to 10% ethanol) in 2021, older vehicles with rubber seals and fuel lines not designed for higher ethanol content were put at risk. Super unleaded is E5 (5% ethanol) making it the only safe option for many classic and older cars.

You can check whether your vehicle is compatible with E10 on the government's E10 compatibility checker.

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

If your car does require premium fuel, that doesn't mean you have to pay top price for it 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 find the cheapest regular unleaded or diesel near you, our free fuel finder tool lets you see what local petrol stations are charging per litre, updated daily.

Simply 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?

For most drivers, the honest answer is no.

Premium fuel can offer genuine benefits, but only to a specific group: high-performance car owners, drivers of turbocharged engines where 97+ RON is recommended and anyone with an older vehicle that can't safely run on E10. For everyone else, the numbers consistently point in the same direction.

Check your fuel filler cap or owner's manual first. If it doesn't specify 97 RON or above, standard unleaded is all your engine needs.

And switching to it is one of the easiest ways to cut your annual running costs without any sacrifice.

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 June 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 June 2026.

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