'Worrying' warning given to UK drivers filling cars with petrol or diesel soon

05 October 2023 , 08:51

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A fuel expert has warned of 'worrying' rises in prices (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images)

Over the last few months, the cost of just about everything has gone up - and fuel is no exception. As our energy bills and food shopping costs remain eye-watering and the price of school uniforms and other essentials also rise, it makes sense that other necessities, such as petrol and diesel, will also continue to become more expensive.

But one expert has warned that the cost of fuel is not just getting more expensive, it's actually 'worrying' that it's 'overpriced' right now, with petrol being 'overpriced by about 7p a litre'. This is according to the RAC and comes just after Birmingham Mail reported that the cost of diesel in the UK has been soaring month on month.

The RAC's monthly report on the outlook for motorists has shown that the cost of diesel is up by more than 8p to 163p in September and petrol by 4.5p to 152p amid global oil production cuts. The 8p rise in diesel prices is the fifth biggest monthly rise since 2000 and follows an 8p rise in August 2023 as well.

Meanwhile, petrol prices have continued to rise steadily over the last four months, and are currently priced at 152p for a litre. Speaking about these changes, RAC fuel spokesperson, Simon Williams, said: "In the last two weeks the wholesale cost of diesel has become 10p a litre more expensive than petrol, yet the gap at the pumps is only 5p. If retailers as a whole were playing fair with drivers, petrol would be at least 7p cheaper than it is now, down to about 150p from its current average of 157p."

He continued: "It's worrying that retailer margin across the UK is higher for petrol than it should be, considering the big four supermarkets were told off by the CMA for overcharging drivers by £900m in 2022. While many have voluntarily started to publish their prices ahead of being mandated to in law, we still have a situation where wholesale price changes aren't being fairly reflected on the forecourt."

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If you're keen to not spend more than you have to on fuel as a result of this, then one woman's petrol station hack will ensure you don't put too much petrol into your car when filling up. A TikTok user previously shared a handy trick she discovered at petrol pumps, showing that often there's a preset button you can use to select the exact amount you want to spend on fuel.

Posting under the username @livticks she shared a video of the petrol pump and explained: "How did I never know this existed?! If you click this button two times 10 for £20. It will stop itself at exactly £20. Wow! That's so cool." Many people in the comments admitted they also previously had no idea about the button, with one replying that it was a "game-changer".

Courtney Pochin