Drivers are being urged to fill up their tanks before Sunday as further potential rises at forecourts loom. Experts have issued advice to motorists ahead of the bank holiday weekend, warning that petrol and diesel prices are likely to increase over the next 48 hours due to higher demand.
Millions of families are preparing to hit the roads for the bank holiday getaway, and motoring commentators say the sooner drivers fill up, the better, before prices are potentially hiked at forecourts. Many drivers make the mistake of leaving it until they set off on their journeys to fill up.
This comes as drivers have been stung by surging fuel prices since the start of the Iran war. Where possible, motorists are also advised to avoid motorway service stations, which often display rip-off prices due to the lack of competition and the necessity for drivers to fill up.
The new Fuel Finder Scheme has entered full enforcement, through platforms like Pumpwatch. Under the new rules, all forecourts must report fuel prices to a central database within 30 minutes of any change. However, there have been reports that many are currently failing to comply.
A spokesperson from My Car Reg Check said: "Drivers who benefit most from Pumpwatch are the ones planning ahead. For a bank holiday journey, check prices before you leave, not when you are already on the motorway."
"The biggest price differences tend to appear between urban areas and motorway routes. It is often worth filling up before joining major roads, even if the price difference looks small. Over a full tank, those few pence per litre add up quickly."
The expert added: "For drivers who already shop around, the difference may be minimal. But for those who typically fill up out of convenience, particularly at motorway services, the potential savings could be much higher. The key change is behavioural. The more drivers engage with the data, the more pressure it puts on pricing locally."
