UK drivers can compare nearby forecourt prices through apps and websites that display Fuel Finder data before choosing where to fill up. Compare the same fuel type, check when each price was updated, then decide whether the saving covers any extra driving. A lower pump price may not make a longer trip worthwhile.

By the AtheneNet editorial team.

Where Fuel Finder prices appear

Fuel Finder brings together prices and forecourt details reported by UK fuel retailers. According to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, retailers must submit a price update within 30 minutes of a change. Participating apps and websites use that information to show drivers prices at nearby stations.

Fuel Finder is the data service behind those listings. The app or website you use may present the results differently, so look for its price update time and forecourt details before setting off. A displayed price can change between your check and your arrival, even when reporting rules are followed.

Compare the same fuel at stations you can reach

Start with the fuel your vehicle needs, such as standard petrol or diesel. Keep that selection the same across stations: comparing petrol at one forecourt with diesel or a premium grade at another will give you a misleading result.

How to compare nearby petrol prices with Fuel Finder

Search around your current location or planned route and check each station’s address. Note the price per litre, when it was last updated and any opening information shown. If an update time is missing or a listing looks old, check again closer to departure. The price displayed at the pump is the one to confirm before filling.

Check whether the detour saves money

Work out the likely saving by multiplying the price difference per litre by the number of litres you expect to buy. For example, a station charging 5p less per litre would save £2 on a 40-litre fill, before travel costs.

Then consider the extra distance for the whole detour, rather than the distance to the cheaper station alone. Fuel used on that trip, your time, traffic and any parking or access difficulty can outweigh a small price difference. A cheaper station already on your route is more likely to offer a useful saving than one requiring a separate journey.

Before leaving, reopen the listing to check its latest update and opening details. At the forecourt, confirm the correct fuel grade and current pump price.

Source: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

Context & actions About this article

Source check How the price information works

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero describes Fuel Finder’s retailer reporting rule and how participating apps and websites display prices.

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