HC Deb 29 June 1989 vol 155 c524W
Dame Jill Knight

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on whether car engines deteriorate more quickly when only lead-free petrol is used in them.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Most of the information available to the Department comes from the United States, where there is more than a decade of experience with running on unleaded petrol. It has been found that components of the drivetrain, such as spark plugs and exhaust systems may last longer with unleaded petrol. There is no indication of damage from unleaded petrol when engines are designed for its use.

Using unleaded petrol in a vehicle for which it is not designed could result in serious damage.