As a car owner you will be used to seeing E10 signs at petrol stations in Northern Ireland since these pumps were added in November 2022 as part of the government’s drive to reduce pollution.
E10 is compatible with most petrol cars, but things aren’t quite so simple if you happen to drive an older vehicle or classic. Here we reveal everything you need to know as a classic car owner about E5 and E10 fuel and whether your motor is compatible.
What is E10 petrol?
E10 is petrol made with up to 10% of renewable ethanol and was introduced to help reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Using this fuel means your vehicle will be more eco-friendly as it burns less fuel and generates fewer emissions due to its higher ratio of renewable ethanol.
Is my car compatible with E10 petrol?
The Department for Transport says that all petrol-powered vehicles built since 2011 and most cars made since the late 1990s are E10 compatible – meaning that 95% of petrol vehicles on the road are safe to use the grade..
If you are still unsure as to whether yours is compatible you can use the government’s E10 compatibility tool, or contact your car’s manufacturer.
What happens if I fill my classic car up with E10 petrol?
Owning a classic car means your vehicle should not be filled up with E10, as your vehicle was produced before this date. However, doing this once by accident, should not be too much of an issue as long as it doesn’t sit in the tank for too long.
Ethanol is corrosive, so having a higher percentage of this substance in E10 means your car will be more at risk of corrosion to its metal, plastic and rubber in your vehicle’s fuel system. This can cause many problems, from broken fuel lines to carburettor issues and will affect older cars due to the way they were made and the materials inside them.
Another key issue with E10 petrol is that ethanol absorbs water, which can become an issue if your car is idle for long periods of time, such as putting your classic away for the winter. The longer you leave it, the more moisture that builds up and can lead to serious issues for its driving capabilities and your safety.
If you’ve realised you have accidentally filled your classic up with E10, simply go for a long drive and top up with E5 when the tank is partially empty. It’s a quick issue to fix and is less of a problem, in terms of potential damage and rectifying it, than filling up with diesel by accident.
Can you still buy E5 unleaded in Northern Ireland?
You can still buy E5 ‘super’ grade 97+ octane at most filling stations, although you may need to search for one in rural areas.
E5 used to be referred to as super unleaded or premium petrol, which have 97 and 99 octane in their consistency. This map, attributed to data provided by the The Association of Old Vehicle Clubs in Northern Ireland (AOVC), provides a list of E5 fuel-selling petrol stations in the country.
How old does a car have to be to be MOT exempt?
Northern Ireland’s former Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon announced in 2020 that any vehicle over 40-years-old is now considered a classic car, meaning they are free from getting an annual MOT.
The change means that any private vehicles that were constructed or first registered more than 40 years ago are free from paying each year to have their car checked over.
Read more about whether your car qualifies as a classic car and is MOT exempt.
Car insurance for Northern Ireland vehicles
No matter which MOT exempt vehicle you own, you will still need to ensure it has classic car insurance. At Sterling NI we provide competitive policy prices for all classic cars, no matter their age or condition.
Call us on 0344 381 9990 for a quote, or book a callback at a time that best suits you.
