UK Fuel Prices: How to Find Cheaper Petrol and Diesel

Pump prices vary from one forecourt to the next, so comparing before you fill up is one of the easiest savings a driver can make. Since February 2026, filling stations covered by the government's Fuel Finder rules must report every price change within 30 minutes, and that data is shared with apps, websites and sat-navs.

Key takeaways

  • Prices vary between nearby forecourts, so checking a few before you fill up is an easy saving.
  • The CMA has found supermarkets are, on average, the cheapest places to buy fuel and motorway service stations the most expensive.
  • Filling stations covered by the government's Fuel Finder rules must report price changes within 30 minutes, and apps and sat-navs can use that data.
  • E10 is the standard petrol and suits about 95% of petrol vehicles; E5 is still sold as the super grade at many larger stations.
In this guide

Our postcode fuel search is temporarily unavailable

Car Cost Guide's postcode fuel-price search is temporarily unavailable, so this page does not show any prices. We will only bring the search back when it can show prices that are updated within minutes. Until then, the guidance below explains how to find cheaper fuel yourself.

How to find cheaper fuel near you

  • Compare before you fill up. Prices differ between nearby forecourts, and the cheapest is often only a short drive away.
  • Check supermarkets. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found in its May 2026 monitoring report that supermarkets remained, on average, the cheapest places to buy fuel.
  • Avoid filling up on the motorway if you can. The same report found motorway service stations were the most expensive.
  • Use an app or sat-nav that shows Fuel Finder prices, and check how recently each price was reported.
  • Choose the right grade. If your car runs on standard E10 petrol or standard diesel, premium grades cost more.

The government's Fuel Finder scheme

The Motor Fuel Price (Open Data) Regulations 2025 set up the Fuel Finder scheme across the whole UK. Since 2 February 2026:

  • when a filling station covered by the rules changes a price, the operator must send the new price to the scheme within 30 minutes
  • the government shares the data with developers through an API and a downloadable file, so apps, websites and sat-navs can show up-to-date prices
  • the CMA can investigate operators that do not comply

If a price is wrong

If an app or website shows a price that does not match the forecourt, use the government's Report a discrepancy service. It covers prices and other forecourt details, and you can report anonymously. More detail is on GOV.UK: Report an error in fuel prices or forecourt details.

E10 versus E5 petrol

  • E10 contains up to 10% renewable ethanol. It became the standard (95 octane) petrol in Great Britain in September 2021 and in Northern Ireland in November 2022.
  • E5 contains up to 5% ethanol. It is still sold as the "super" grade (97+ octane) at many larger filling stations.

All new cars made since 2011 can use E10, and GOV.UK says about 95% of petrol vehicles on the road can. Use the E10 vehicle checker if you are not sure. E10 can reduce fuel economy by about 1%, which GOV.UK says is unlikely to be noticeable.

Official fuel price statistics

For the national picture, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero publishes weekly road fuel prices: the average UK pump price for petrol and diesel, updated every week. These are national averages, so prices at individual forecourts will differ.

Work out what fuel costs you

Once you know the price you pay, the Fuel Cost Calculator works out the cost of a journey, and the Cost Per Mile Calculator shows what each mile really costs once insurance, tax, servicing and depreciation are included. Cost per mile UK explains the formula.

FAQs

What is the Fuel Finder scheme?
A government open data scheme set up by the Motor Fuel Price (Open Data) Regulations 2025. Since 2 February 2026, operators of filling stations covered by the rules must report each price change within 30 minutes, and the data is made available to developers of apps, websites and sat-navs.
Can I use E10 in my car?
All new cars made since 2011 can use E10, and about 95% of petrol vehicles on the road can. Use the GOV.UK vehicle checker if you are unsure. If your car is not compatible, use E5 super grade.
Does E10 cost me more per mile?
GOV.UK says E10 can reduce fuel economy by about 1%, which is unlikely to be noticeable in everyday driving.
What should I do if a forecourt's price is wrong in an app?
Report it through the government's Fuel Finder discrepancy service. You can report anonymously.
Where can I see the national average pump price?
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero publishes average UK pump prices for petrol and diesel every week.

This guide does not show fuel prices. Prices change frequently and differ between forecourts, so check a current source before you travel. General guidance, not financial advice.

Sources and review

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