The catalytic behaviour of ceria, zirconia and ceria–zirconia mixed oxides in the temperature-programmed degradation of toluene and n-hexane was analysed by means of evolved gas analysis (mass spectrometry). Pure cerium oxide resulted the most active catalyst in the oxidation of both compounds. This fact revealed the crucial role of the surface oxygen species in the decomposition of this type of hydrocarbons. The low affinity of CeO2 for H2O and CO2, the major oxidation products, may be also responsible for the observed highly active catalytic behaviour.