Fuel shopping: drivers can save £5 a tank by choosing wisely

Drivers who take a few minutes to check fuel prices before pulling onto a forecourt could save roughly £5 on every fill-up, based on official UK fuel price data covering 7,821 forecourts across the country.

The data shows that E10 unleaded averages 161.3p a litre nationally, but there is a meaningful gap between the cheaper and the more expensive end of the market. The lowest-priced forecourts are selling petrol at around 155.9p a litre, while the most expensive are charging close to 165.9p a litre. That 10p-a-litre spread translates to roughly £5 on a standard 50-litre tank, a difference that adds up quickly for anyone who fills up once a week or more. Diesel sits higher overall, averaging 181.9p a litre nationally.

For most households, fuel is already one of the bigger running costs of owning a car, so the saving is worth pursuing without much effort. Prices vary by region and even between forecourts in the same town, so a short detour to a cheaper station can pay for itself immediately. Official UK fuel price data makes it possible to compare forecourts in any area before setting off.

For drivers who are also thinking about whether their car is still worth keeping, Car.co.uk offers a free instant valuation to show what it is worth right now. If the figure looks right, Car.co.uk will buy the car directly, collecting it at no charge and paying by bank transfer. It also provides free tools including an MOT history check, a car tax calculator and a car finance calculator, which can help owners get a clearer picture of the full cost of motoring before making any decisions.