Drivers urged to compare petrol prices as forecourt gaps offer major savings
Motorists are being encouraged to compare nearby petrol and diesel prices after figures showed that choosing a cheaper forecourt can save several pounds on a single tank.
By BBC News
Drivers are being encouraged to compare petrol and diesel prices before filling up, as significant differences between nearby forecourts can add several pounds to the cost of a tank.
The government’s Fuel Finder scheme now collects price information from filling stations across the UK and makes the data available to approved apps and websites.
Fuel retailers are required to report changes to petrol and diesel prices within 30 minutes, giving motorists access to more up-to-date information than was previously available.
The scheme is intended to make pricing more transparent and encourage greater competition between forecourts.
Although Fuel Finder provides the underlying data, drivers generally access it through fuel comparison services and motoring apps rather than through a single government consumer website.
Price differences can be considerable, even across a relatively small area.
The RAC says motorists can search for the cheapest forecourts within two, five or 10 miles through its app, while other comparison services allow searches by postcode, town or city.
Its guidance notes that fuel prices can vary substantially over short distances, meaning drivers who automatically return to the same filling station may be paying more than necessary.
For a typical 55-litre family car, a difference of 5p per litre adds £2.75 to the cost of filling the tank.
A 10p difference would increase the cost by £5.50, while larger local price gaps can produce even greater savings.
However, drivers should consider how far they travel to reach a cheaper station.
A small saving can quickly disappear if the journey requires several extra miles, particularly in a vehicle with poor fuel economy.
A better approach is to compare stations close to a planned route, workplace or regular shopping trip.
Supermarket forecourts are often cheaper than the national average, but that is not always guaranteed.
Motorists are advised to compare the actual local prices rather than assuming one brand or type of retailer will always be cheapest.
Recent RAC figures also show how quickly the wider market can move.
During June, average petrol prices fell by almost 8p per litre, reducing the cost of a typical tank by about £4.40. Diesel fell by around 17p per litre, cutting roughly £9 from a 55-litre fill-up.
Even when national averages are falling, local prices may not move at the same speed.
Some filling stations may reduce prices quickly, while others keep them higher for longer, making comparison especially worthwhile during periods of rapid change.
Drivers can also reduce fuel spending by keeping tyres at the correct pressure, removing unnecessary weight from the car and driving more smoothly.
Harsh acceleration and braking increase consumption, while anticipating traffic and maintaining a steady speed can improve fuel economy.
Loyalty schemes may provide small additional benefits, but they should not outweigh the price charged at the pump.
A few points or vouchers are unlikely to compensate for paying several pence more per litre.
For Cheshire motorists, checking forecourts near home, work or regular routes could produce useful savings over the year.
The practical advice is to compare prices before the fuel warning light comes on, avoid making a long diversion for a minor saving and check the price displayed at the pump before filling.