Sick of overpaying for fuel? A new fuel finder scheme could help you save time and money

If you’ve ever filled up your car only to drive past a cheaper petrol station five minutes down the road, you’re not alone.

A new government scheme called Fuel Finder is now live across the UK, and it’s designed to make that frustration a thing of the past. Petrol stations now have to share their prices in real-time, meaning drivers can check the cheapest prices nearby before heading to the pumps.

The aim of the scheme is to make fuel prices clearer, boost competition and help drivers save money without having to waste time (and fuel!) searching forecourts.

Fuel prices can vary significantly between stations, sometimes by several pence per litre. Over time, that adds up. Estimates suggest drivers could save around £40 a year just by checking the cheapest price locally.

How it works

Petrol and diesel retailers now have to update any price changes to a government database within 30 minutes, that information then gets shared publicly. Apps and websites can then access the information to show the latest prices near you.

Apps and tools to compare fuel prices

There isn’t a single “official” Fuel Finder app, but the data powers lots of tools you can use on your phone or sat nav.

Here are some of the most popular apps we found:

PetrolPrices Compare petrol and diesel prices near you on iPhone or Android and find the cheapest stations before you drive.

Fuel Saver App Search and sort fuel prices by location and fuel type, get price alerts and plan your route to save on every trip.

CheckFuelPrices.co.uk A live price tool that shows petrol and diesel prices across thousands of UK stations using open data, sorted by postcode.

Look4Petrol Another comparison site that lists real-time petrol and diesel prices at stations across the country.

You can usually access these via an app on your phone or on a web browser before you set off. Most let you filter by fuel type, distance or price so you can pick the best option for you.

Now you don’t have to drive around in search of the cheapest forecourt. Just check your app before you head out!

If you have any thoughts on this topic, or any other consumer issues you would like us to cover, feel free to get in touch with us at support@resolver.co.uk