How much drivers can save by shopping around for fuel

Choosing where you fill up could save you around £6 every time you fill a standard 50-litre tank, based on official UK fuel price data covering nearly 8,000 forecourts nationwide.

The average price of E10 unleaded currently sits at 151.7p a litre, but that figure masks a wide spread. The cheapest forecourts are selling petrol at roughly 145.9p a litre, while the most expensive are charging close to 156.9p. That gap of around 11p a litre adds up quickly. Over the course of a year, a driver who fills up once a week and always chooses a pricier station could easily be spending over £300 more than someone who takes a few minutes to find a better price nearby.

Diesel drivers face a higher baseline cost, with the national average sitting at 165.7p a litre according to the same official data. The same principle applies though: prices differ meaningfully between forecourts even within the same town, so it pays to look before you pull in.

The simplest thing any driver can do is check local fuel prices before setting off on a journey, particularly if you know you are running low. Supermarket forecourts tend to be among the more competitively priced options, and prices can also vary between rural and urban areas. A little planning, especially when a motorway service station is the only obvious option, can make a real difference over time.

For everyday advice on running and maintaining your car without spending more than you need to, Garage.co.uk covers everything from fuel economy tips to routine servicing guidance in plain, straightforward language.