Money Saving Expert (MSE), the consumer advice site founded by Martin Lewis, has told drivers they could cut up to £20 off a typical family-car fill-up by checking local forecourt prices before heading to the pump. With UK fuel prices still high, the tip centres on a free comparison service that lets motorists search for cheaper petrol or diesel nearby.
Fuel prices remain high across the UK
According to weekly figures sourced from Government data, the average price on October 26 was 174.1p per litre for unleaded petrol and 199.2p for diesel, with diesel hovering around the £2-per-litre mark. At those averages, filling a 55-litre tank would cost around £95.76 for petrol or £109.56 for diesel. However, prices can differ substantially between forecourts, meaning drivers who check nearby options may be able to reduce the bill.
How the free comparison service works
MSE recommends using PetrolPrices.com, a free comparison service that lets motorists search by postcode, town or city, choose their fuel type and set a travel distance of up to 20 miles. The website tracks more than 8,000 UK filling stations, and a mobile app is also available for drivers who want to compare prices while out and about.
In an example published by MSE, unleaded petrol within five miles of a Gloucester postcode ranged from 161.9p to 195.9p per litre on September 22. Across a 55-litre fill, that difference of 34p per litre would amount to £18.70.
Budget confirms fuel duty cut extension
Fuel costs have been pushed up by a range of factors, including global oil prices, currency movements and the costs involved in refining and distributing fuel. In its October 2026 Budget, the government said the Middle East conflict was continuing to affect motorists and confirmed that the temporary 5p-per-litre fuel-duty cut would remain in place until July 1, 2027.
That extension means the planned return of the remaining 5p to fuel duty from January 2027 has been cancelled for now. It does not guarantee pump prices will fall, as wholesale costs and the prices charged by individual retailers can still change.
MSE advises motorists to compare prices before setting off and consider whether a cheaper station is worth the extra journey. Any potential saving will depend on local prices, the amount of fuel needed and the additional mileage involved.
