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A handy ‘hack’ helps drivers fill their cars with cheaper fuel (stock image) (Image: Getty)
Filling up your car for less is a common goal for countless drivers, especially as volatile prices continue – and there’s a quick and easy way to get more bang for your buck.
The ongoing US-Israel war with Iran has seen fuel prices surge in recent months, with wholesale oil and gas prices rocketing after the conflict began on February 28. Missile strikes and drone attacks slowed or completely halted the production and transport of energy across the Middle East.
On April 7, US president Donald Trump confirmed a temporary ceasefire, with the wholesale price of oil and gas coming back down – but not to the cheaper prices seen before the conflict began.
Leading UK independent consumer champion Which? took to TikTok in a bid to help drivers track down cheaper fuel.
In the video, a Which? spokesperson explained: “Here’s a hack to stop overpaying for fuel. Fuel prices can vary a lot, even within a small area, and in some cases, you can save around £15 on a full tank just by choosing a different station.
“So it’s worth checking prices in your area – especially before longer journeys. Alternatively, apps like PetrolPrices show you a map of all the fuel prices in your area so instead of going to the closest one, just go to the cheapest one.”
Read more: New UK ‘driveway’ rule with EV ‘tipping point’ as fuel rockets
Read more: Iran ceasefire won’t stop your bills rising – experts warn of months of pain
PetrolPrices is a popular app which compiles government data, information from companies and fuel stations, as well as input from the community to offer up to date fuel prices and information.
It features a map-based fuel finder and price alerts for nearby stations, and it allows users to update prices.
On Trustpilot, PetrolPrices boasts a string of five star ratings – though some users have reported some inaccuracies.
One reviewer penned: “I always check this site before buying petrol, have done for many years. It’s not always bang up to date but that’s the retailers putting up prices with no warning!
“Also so useful when travelling outside my known area where I’m not so used to the cheaper stations.”
Another said: “Great app; quick and very easy to use. Prices shown are always accurate against the forecourt prices. Has saved me money when I fill up locally and also when travelling further afield where you may not be so familiar with the large price differences between outlets.”
A third commented: “Ideal for locating petrol prices in any local area especially when away from my local area. Usually accurate to within a penny but can vary if price or supply volatile. As a rule I don’t go far off my intended route.”
But someone else was less impressed and said: “It’s clear that this site works for some. But if, like me, you want to find premium diesel, get used to the idea of being misled.
“‘Up-to-date’ prices are published for stations that don’t – and never have – sold premium diesel. It’s not just a case of lack of availability; that would be forgivable!”
PetrolPrices replied: “Sorry for this experience. A number of stations provide the information directly to the UK government which is the data we then use, otherwise the data comes directly from transactions. We would need to raise this error with the specific station directly to investigate.”
They asked the reviewer to email them details of the station directly so the team would be able to look into it.
On the Gov.UK website, it states: “Use the Fuel Finder service to get the latest retail fuel prices and forecourt details across the UK.”
Anyone can access this date either by downloading the “CSV file containing current prices and forecourt details”, or subscribing to the CVS file by email. It also confirms participating apps and third party sites – like PetrolPrices – use this data to keep people informed.
