Some UK forecourts are changing fuel prices multiple times a day

A small number of UK forecourts are moving their pump prices several times a day, meaning the price you pay can depend as much on when you fill up as where you go. Official UK government fuel price data for the 72 hours ending 11 July shows at least six stations recorded three or more separate price changes to their unleaded fuel within that period alone.

The most active station in that window was a BP forecourt in Cottingham (HU16 4HP), which changed its unleaded price eight times, swinging between 154.9p and 159.9p per litre. Three BP sites in and around Hull (postcodes HU14 3LN, HU15 2DA and HU8 9XL) each recorded seven price changes over the same period, with the spread between their lowest and highest prices reaching as much as 8p per litre at one location.

For most drivers, this is a new wrinkle to be aware of. Traditionally, a forecourt sets one price at the start of the day and holds it. When prices shift multiple times between morning and evening, a driver who fills up at the wrong moment could pay noticeably more than a neighbour who stopped at the same pump a few hours earlier or later. On a 50-litre fill, an 8p-per-litre difference works out at £4, which is not trivial over a year of regular fill-ups.

The practical takeaway is simple: if you live or work near a forecourt that moves its prices around, it is worth checking the current pump price before you pull in rather than assuming it matches what you saw yesterday or even this morning. Official UK government fuel price data is updated regularly and can be accessed through various tools that pull from that feed directly. Keeping an eye on prices in your area, and knowing which local stations tend to offer the keenest rate at a given time of day, can make a genuine difference to what you spend on fuel over the course of a year. For broader guidance on running costs, maintenance and getting the most from your car day to day, Garage.co.uk covers the topics that matter to everyday drivers.