Guides
6 practical guides on cutting your fuel bill, understanding how UK petrol prices are set, and making smarter decisions at the pump. All written specifically for UK drivers.
Want to know if a cheaper station is worth the detour? Use the WorthThePump calculator — enter your number plate, we look up your car's MPG, and show you exactly which nearby stations save you real money after the detour cost.
6
Guides
37,000+
UK stations
~55%
Tax on petrol
30 min
Price refresh
Practical ways to cut your UK fuel bill — from supermarket schemes to timing your fill.
How to Save Money on Petrol in the UK: The Complete 2025 Guide
12 proven ways to cut your UK fuel bill in 2025.
The Best Day and Time to Buy Petrol in the UK
Research shows UK petrol is cheapest on Monday and Tuesday, most expensive Thursday–Friday.
How to Improve Your Car's MPG: 12 Proven Tips for UK Drivers
12 evidence-based tips to improve your car's real-world MPG.
Why UK petrol prices are so high, how they're set, and what drives them up and down.
Why UK Petrol Prices Are So High: Duty, VAT, and the Supply Chain Explained
Over 55% of what you pay for petrol in the UK is tax.
How UK Petrol Prices Are Set: From Crude Oil to the Forecourt
The complete journey from crude oil to your UK petrol pump — OPEC, Rotterdam, UK refineries, the CMA, and why supermarkets are cheaper.
Everything you need to know about E10, E5 Super, and petrol compatibility.
Is it worth driving to a cheaper petrol station?
It depends on the price difference, your car's MPG, and how far the detour is. WorthThePump calculates this automatically — enter your number plate and how much you plan to spend, and we show you exactly which nearby stations save real money after the detour cost. Many 'cheaper' stations are false economy once you factor in the extra fuel used to get there.
What are the cheapest days to buy petrol in the UK?
Monday and Tuesday are statistically the cheapest days, with prices typically 2–5p per litre lower than the Thursday/Friday peak. Avoid filling on bank holidays when prices spike due to demand. Supermarket forecourts show less day-of-week variation than independent stations.
How much of the UK petrol price is tax?
At a typical price of 138p per litre, approximately 75–76p is tax — fuel duty (52.95p) plus 20% VAT on the total (approximately 23p). This means over 55% of what you pay is government tax. The pre-tax cost of the petrol, refining, distribution, and retail margin makes up the remaining 45%.
Is my car compatible with E10 petrol?
If your car was manufactured after 2011, it is almost certainly E10-compatible. Use the government's official checker at gov.uk/check-vehicle-details for a definitive answer. Classic cars, some pre-2002 vehicles, and certain motorbikes may not be compatible and should use E5 Super instead.
Enter your number plate, we look up your MPG, and show you which nearby stations actually save you money — after the detour cost.
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