UK petrol and diesel prices: what drivers paid, 2 August 2026

Petrol and diesel prices across the UK remain well above the levels many drivers were used to before recent years of fuel market turbulence. Official UK fuel price data gathered from 7,813 forecourts on 2 August 2026 showed standard E10 unleaded at an average of 160.7p a litre, or roughly £7.31 a gallon.

For drivers who chose premium E5 unleaded, the cost was noticeably higher at 178.1p a litre, equivalent to around £8.10 a gallon. That near 18p premium over standard unleaded reflects the higher refining specification of E5, which contains less ethanol and is often preferred by owners of older vehicles or performance cars whose engines are not rated for higher ethanol blends.

Diesel drivers were paying the most at the pump on that date, with B7 diesel averaging 180.0p a litre, or about £8.18 a gallon. That put diesel 19.3p a litre above standard unleaded, a gap that adds up quickly for high-mileage drivers or those running vans and larger vehicles. The official figures are updated throughout the day as forecourt data feeds in, so the national average shifts between morning and evening and moves again from week to week. Every figure above is the reading for 2 August 2026.

For anyone thinking about their overall motoring costs, it is worth knowing what their current car is worth before any changes in circumstance. Car.co.uk buys cars directly from private owners, offering a free instant valuation, free collection and payment by bank transfer. The site also provides free tools including a car valuation, an MOT history check, a car tax calculator and a car finance calculator, which can help drivers build a clearer picture of what they are spending.