Continued availability of E5 fuel is essential for historic & classic vehicles


What is the extra cost of using Esso E5 petrol in an MG V8? See our article in August 2021. Link


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In a feature article in this week's issue of Classic Car Weekly, David Simister says "motor fuels with 10% ethanol became the standard regular fuel in 2021 but lobbying from classic car enthusiasts and the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) helped ensure that lower ethanol fuels continued to be available at most forecourts for 5 years". We have heard from the FBHVC that the UK Government intends consulting on retaining E5 motor fuels in 2026 although we understand that the Department of Transport has told them it has no plans at present to remove the availability of E5 from forecourts in the UK.



E5 petrol contains up to 5% ethanol by volume and E10 contains up to 10% by volume.

All Esso's Synergy fuels contain additives to help clean, protect and enhance your car's engine, however Esso's Synergy Supreme+ 99 E5 fuel contains a double dose of additive. Esso Synergy Supreme+ 99 contains up to 5% ethanol.


Feedback from MGV8 members and other sources indicates that most historic and classic car owners, including RV8 members with more modern classics produced during or before the end of the 1990s, prefer to use E5 fuels because of their concerns with ethanol compatibility with historic and classic vehicle fuel systems. Their concerns are ethanol has been linked to the corrosion of metal components like carburettors and to the degradation of fuel supply lines that has been seen to produce cracks in rubber fuel pipes and fuel leakages. The last thing you want with a hot engine bay in an MGV8 is a fuel leak. Even though E10 is available at lower prices feedback indicates the thinking is with typically modest annual mileages the additional cost of using E5 is not a serious burden and also some of the premium grade E5 fuels can help the car run better.
See more on the FBHVC website. Link