Fuel Finder Explained: The New UK Scheme Making Fuel Prices Easier To Compare

---

The cost of filling up your car is one of those expenses that can really hurt a family’s budget.

One full tank can cost more than you expect, especially if you drive regularly or rely on your car for work, school runs, or caring responsibilities. Like many drivers, you probably have a favourite petrol station that you always use, either because it's conveniently located or you believe it's the cheapest place to buy fuel locally, as nobody wants to pay more than they absolutely have to just to get from A to B right?

The problem is that fuel prices can vary a lot, even within a small area. You might pass several forecourts on the same journey, all charging different prices, and until recently, looking online, or via apps to try and find out where your cheapest local petrol station is, could be hard as not all retailers submitted their prices to the third party fuel price apps and websites, and if they did it wasnt always regularly iupdated and so those prices may be out of date

That is where a new government scheme called Fuel Finder comes in. Fuel Finder has been introduced to make it much easier to compare petrol and diesel prices locally, using more complete and reliable information. Petrol stations are now required to submit their prices digitally whenever they change, so drivers can see a clearer picture of what is available nearby before they fill up.

What Fuel Finder is and how it works

Fuel Finder is not a website or app that you visit directly. Instead, it works quietly in the background.

Petrol stations and forecourts across the UK must now submit their fuel prices to a central system. If a price changes, it must be updated within 30 minutes. That information is then made available to third-party apps, websites, comparison tools, and journalists, who present it in a way drivers can actually use.

For most people, this will feel very familiar. You will still check fuel prices through apps or websites you already recognise, such as the RAC or AA websites, or apps like Petrol Prices, or even sat-nav apps like Waze, which I recently found will show you local petrol stations and display their fuel prices. The difference now is that coverage should be far more complete. In the past, some stations shared prices and others did not. Fuel Finder makes price reporting mandatory, which improves accuracy and reliability.

Alongside fuel prices, the data also includes useful context, such as location, opening hours, and the date the price was last updated. That matters because a petrol station that looks cheaper on paper is not always the best option if it is out of the way or closed when you need it.

Why do fuel prices vary so much?

Fuel prices often feel unpredictable, but there are clear reasons behind the changes you see on the pump.

A major factor is the cost of fuel supplied to retailers. When wholesale prices rise, stations usually have little choice but to pass that on. Transport and distribution costs also play a role, particularly for sites farther from fuel terminals.

Local competition makes a difference, too. In areas with several nearby stations, prices tend to be lower. Where drivers have fewer options, prices are often higher.

It is also worth understanding how much of the pump price goes to the petrol station. Fuel duty and VAT make up a significant proportion of the cost of every litre. The retailer’s own margin is relatively small by comparison. This helps explain why prices can rise quickly when costs increase, but fall more slowly when pressures ease.

Because of this complexity, organisations like the RAC have monitored fuel prices for years, tracking wholesale costs and average pump prices and calling out unfair pricing. Fuel Finder builds on this work by making price data more complete across all forecourts.

So what does the Fuel Finder scheme actually mean for you?

If you are the one paying for fuel in your household, Fuel Finder gives you better information before you commit to filling up. It does not guarantee cheaper fuel every time, but it reduces the guesswork.

Most drivers have experienced filling up, pulling away, and immediately spotting a station charging at a lower rate. Fuel Finder is designed to reduce that frustration by making local prices visible in advance, so you can plan where to stop rather than relying on habit or luck.

It will not stop prices rising, and it will not change how much fuel you use. What it does change is visibility. Even small price differences can add up over time, particularly if you drive frequently.

Do not forget loyalty cards and fuel apps

Don't forget about petrol station loyalty schemes. It is always worth having loyalty apps for all your local petrol stations and supermarkets on your phone, so you can scan your loyalty card/app at whichever petrol station you choose to use when you fill up.

Many fuel retailers and supermarkets offer rewards such as Nectar points, fuel discounts, or money-off vouchers when you scan your card or app. These offers are often more generous than people realise and can include in-store discounts on food and drinks, cheaper car washes, or money off fuel on your next visit.

Scanning every time really can make a difference. Over time, you may receive £2.50 off, £5 off your next fill-up, as I have, or targeted deals based on how you use the station. Seasonal offers can be especially good. Last Christmas, for example, my local petrol station had loyalty card pricing on Christmas chocolate (chocolate oranges!), which massively undercut supermarket prices, which was surprising, and you didn't even need to fill up at the same time, you could just go in and buy what you wanted if passing!

It is also worth remembering that supermarket petrol stations are not always the cheapest option, despite what many people expect. This is another reason Fuel Finder is useful to consumers. It helps you check prices properly, rather than assuming the cheapest option based on brand alone.

Fuel Finder FAQs

What is the Fuel Finder scheme?

Fuel Finder is a UK government-backed scheme that makes petrol and diesel prices publicly available. Petrol stations must now share price changes digitally so drivers can more easily compare fuel costs.

Is Fuel Finder a website or an app?

No. Fuel Finder supplies fuel price data to apps, websites, and comparison tools rather than being used directly.

How often are fuel prices updated?

Fuel prices must be updated within 30 minutes of any change. Prices also show when they were last updated.

Do all petrol stations have to take part?

Yes. Retail fuel stations across the UK are required to submit their prices, with full compliance expected by early May 2026.

How can I check fuel prices near me?

Most people will use third-party apps or websites that show nearby fuel prices based on postcode or location.

Did fuel price comparison exist before Fuel Finder?

Yes, but it was incomplete. Some stations shared prices voluntarily, others did not. Fuel Finder requires reporting, which improves coverage.

Does Fuel Finder make fuel cheaper?

Not directly. It makes price differences easier to see, helping drivers avoid overpaying and encouraging competition.

Is Fuel Finder free to use?

Yes. The fuel price data is publicly available. Some apps may add extra features, but the core information is free.

Fuel Finder will not transform fuel prices overnight, but it does make one of the highest running costs of owning a car clearer and easier to manage. When household budgets are already stretched, better information matters. Knowing where fuel is cheaper, combining that with loyalty rewards, and avoiding overpriced forecourts can quietly make a difference over the year.