Drivers keen to keep petrol spending to a minimum may be interested in using the online tool
The team behind MoneySavingExpert (MSE), founded by Martin Lewis, has found a way for drivers to save money on petrol prices. In a new blog post on the MSE website, the experts discussed a website drivers should check out, or use via its app, to lower their petrol costs.
In a segment entitled: “Find the cheapest petrol or diesel prices in your area”, MSE mentions a ‘convenient’ free tool that drivers should look into before filling up their tank. MSE states: “The easiest way to find the cheapest forecourt in your area for petrol or diesel, whether standard or premium, is by comparing prices using a nifty free tool.”
The government is introducing a ‘fuel finder‘ to help drivers find the best prices. This initiative will require retailers to report their prices, enabling drivers to compare them in real time and boosting competition.
MSE said: “While the idea’s been agreed and some data is shared voluntarily, the full compulsory system isn’t live yet and won’t be until later in 2026. Until then, tools like the one below remain the easiest way to cut costs. For more on the proposed scheme, see the Gov.uk website.”
Going into detail about what the “nifty” tool is, MSE says: “Find the cheapest fuel near you. Go to PetrolPrices.com.” It adds: “There’s also a PetrolPrices app to make it easier to use on your phone.”
PetrolPrices helps people find the cheapest petrol stations near them. To use it, you just need to sign up, enter your postcode, town, or city, and say how far you’re willing to go (up to 20 miles). It includes around 8,300 gas stations all over the UK, according to MSE.
Using websites and apps that compare fuel prices can really help you save money on petrol. They give drivers real-time info based on where they are, so you can easily find the cheapest petrol stations near you, helping you cut costs.
After the UK Government launches the Fuel Finder scheme, petrol stations must update their prices in a central database every 30 minutes. This means that apps like PetrolPrices, Waze, and the AA can give you accurate and current information.
MSE explained: “Using it can save as much as £10-£15 on filling up a typical family car. For example, within five miles of a postcode in Durham the price of unleaded on 26 January ranged from 126.9p to 155.9p per litre. While the difference per litre may be pennies, in percentage terms you could pay 20% more by going to the ‘wrong’ forecourt.”
Sharing other fuel-saving tips, MSE also recommend checking if there is a Costco nearby. “Petrol savings can make membership worth it,” it said.
“Many unknowingly qualify for Costco membership (£42/yr) and petrol savings alone may pay for it. As an example for a postcode in Essex, we found unleaded prices ranging from the cheapest – Costco, at 125.9p/L – to a pricey 155.9p/L within five miles. That’s a £17 difference when filling up a typical family car. For a full rundown, see our Costco Tips guide.”
MSE also mentioned using loyalty schemes. It said: “Buying petrol or diesel is a regular outlay, and you spend more on it in a year than you think – £30 a week is over £1,500 a year. As many fuel stations (including the supermarket ones) run some form of loyalty scheme, it’s worth signing up to schemes for the forecourts you’ll use most regularly, to get a little extra back.
“However, never choose a filling station just for its loyalty scheme, as the difference is small compared with how fuel prices can vary from forecourt to forecourt (also see our guides on Boosting Nectar points and Reclaiming and boosting Tesco vouchers). Also, keep an eye out for short-lived fuel discount promos that pop up from time to time. There aren’t currently any on that we know of, but we’ll publish details here when there are.”
