UK Fuel Price Report - August 2026

Last updated 2 August 2026
Next update on 1 September 2026

Figures: UK weekly average pump prices from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) weekly road fuel prices, week ending 27 July 2026. These are weekly statistical averages across supermarket, branded and independent forecourts, not the live price at any one station.

What is driving prices right now

Pump prices climbed sharply through the spring of 2026 after the conflict that began on 28 February pushed up the global oil price. Diesel peaked at around 192p a litre in mid-April and petrol at around 159p in late May. Both have eased since, but at 156p for petrol and 174p for diesel the UK still sits close to its highest pump prices in over two years. For context, the record averages remain 191.5p for petrol (set in July 2022) and 199.09p for diesel (June 2022).

How the price of a litre is made up

Roughly half of what you hand over at the pump is tax. Every litre carries 52.95p of fuel duty, frozen at that rate since 2022, and VAT at 20% is then charged on the whole price. The rest covers the wholesale cost of the fuel, delivery, and the retailer's margin, which is why prices move when the oil price and the pound shift.

Where your money goes	Petrol (156.1p)	Diesel (174.0p)
Fuel duty	52.95p	52.95p
VAT (20%)	26.02p	29.00p
Fuel, delivery and retailer margin	77.13p	92.05p
Tax as a share of the pump price	about 51%	about 47%

Where fuel is cheapest

Prices vary far more than most drivers realise. The government's own forecourt data regularly shows a 20p-a-litre gap or more between stations only a short drive apart. Supermarkets are the dependable value: they run only around one in six of the UK's roughly 8,300 forecourts but sell nearly half of all fuel, and typically undercut the branded stations by 5-10p a litre. Northern Ireland remains among the cheapest parts of the UK. The single biggest saving lever is simply checking prices before you fill up rather than pulling into the nearest forecourt.

How much you could save

For a driver filling a 55-litre tank once a week, a 10p-a-litre difference is worth £5.50 a fill, or around £286 a year. MotifyMe®'s free Fuel Finder shows live prices at stations near you, so you can see where the cheapest fill-up is before you set off, with no sign-up needed.

Methodology and sources

Headline averages are the UK weekly average pump prices published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), compiled from the Competition and Markets Authority's road fuel price scheme, cross-referenced with RAC Fuel Watch. Forecourt counts and the supermarket sales share are from the UK Petroleum Industry Association (UKPIA). Tank-fill costs assume a 55-litre tank. This report is refreshed monthly.

This report is provided for general information only and does not constitute financial or motoring advice. Fuel prices change constantly; the figures shown are averages as at the date above and may not reflect the price at any individual forecourt. MotifyMe® is not affiliated with DESNZ, the RAC or UKPIA.