Drivers warned 'do not buy fuel' over big change at petrol pumps

Experts have advised drivers to hold off getting fuel for their cars temporarily - in a move that could save them money

Neil Shaw Assistant Editor (Money and Lifestyle) and Liam Ryder Digital Production Editor

16:25, 14 Mar 2025

Medium shot of a woman filling her car at a petrol station in the North East of England. Image taken during a cost of living crisis. The woman is looking worriedly at the price on the screen while holding her mobile phone screen.

Heading to the petrol station to fill up has been a source of dread for motorists for some time(Image: SolStock via Getty Images)

Motoring experts have told drivers to avoid getting petrol for as long as they can.

The RAC has predicted that motorists are set to benefit from a drop in wholseale costs of fuel after a six-month high.

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New analysis means drivers could see savings of at least 6p per litre for petrol and 3p per litre for diesel in the coming weeks.

But it depends if retailers "pass on the savings they are benefitting from when buying in new stock".

Average fuel prices have hit 139p per litre for petrol and 146p per litre for diesel in the UK.

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This suggests that motorists could make substantial savings if they wait until the last minute to fill up their tanks - when it will be significantly cheaper.

The RAC is optimistic about potential price cuts as the cost of oil has fallen from above $80 in mid-January to below $70 now, reports Plymouth Live.

Simon Williams, RAC head of policy, said: "Drivers have had to endure five months of rising prices, so it's good news wholesale prices have fallen significantly, and forecourt totem signs should soon be reflecting this. We expect retailers to start to cut prices this week as more buy in new supply at lower prices.

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"As long as the cost of a barrel of crude oil stays around the $70 mark, we believe there's a chance drivers could see petrol heading back down towards 130p a litre.

"As always in a falling market, much will depend on how fully retailers decide to pass on these wholesale savings at the pumps.

"The old 'rocket and feather' saying about prices going up like a rocket and falling like a feather will hopefully be proved wrong this time around." Watchdog the Competition and Markets Authority has found that UK drivers forked out an eye-watering £900 million more for fuel at supermarkets in 2022 because of increased margins.

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An even steeper figure of £1.6 billion was noted across all retailers in 2023 due to the same issue.