Forecourts are under the spotlight as two-thirds of drivers say they will now track local pump prices after the launch of the government’s Fuel Finder scheme.
According to a new poll by the AA, which surveyed 13,000 drivers between 15 and 21 January, engagement among younger drivers is higher, with 85% of 18 to 24-year-olds saying they will track local fuel prices.
Around half (51%) said they would switch supermarkets if they spotted one offering cheaper fuel, which rises slightly to 57% among younger drivers.
Some 88% of drivers, meanwhile, said they would consider buying from a non-supermarket forecourt if it offered significantly lower prices, with 25 to 44-year-olds more likely to do so.
Timing could also influence fuel purchases, with 58% of drivers reporting that knowing when prices change will affect when they fill up.
In the scheme’s first week of going live since 2 February, 6,880 fuel stations – around 82% of all UK forecourts – had registered with the Fuel Finder database, with 4,070 logging a change to their pump prices.
There are currently 26% more forecourts signed up to Fuel Finder compared to when the voluntary scheme was in place, according to the AA, which covered around 65% of sites and was mostly taken up by major operators and supermarkets.
All UK forecourts, roughly 8,350 in total, are now required to register by law and log price changes within half an hour.
The CMA has said, however, that until May 2026 its focus will be on supporting businesses to comply with the new regime rather than enforcement action.
Average UK petrol pump prices last week reached a plateau of 132.0p a litre, a level last seen in June, following a 5.5p fall from 12 December. However, wholesale petrol costs have risen 3p a litre since early January.
The AA said drivers will be taking advantage of pump-price transparency to spot the fuel retailers holding back on price increases.
Diesel, meanwhile, is down to an average of 140.8p a litre, having been at a high of 146.9p in early December.
“Fuel Finder was finding its feet last week and will get stronger as the remaining fuel stations are helped to meet their obligations and sign up. With two out of three of those already registered in the scheme now showing prices, the database will fill up and start to go to work bringing about fairer fuel costs,” said AA spokesman Luke Bosdet.
“Petrol and diesel wholesale costs are heading upwards once again and pump-price transparency will now show its value. The AA poll of thousands of drivers shows they very clearly want it.
“Fuel Finder now becoming a reality is a cause the AA has campaigned on for almost 15 years.”
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