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Tips & advice

Fuel Finder: all you need to know

Fuel Finder aims to give drivers accurate, up-to-date information to get the best deal on petrol and diesel prices

Fuel Finder: Petrol station header

Fuel Finder is a digital service that provides drivers with live petrol, diesel, biodiesel and even hydrogenated vegetable oil prices at fuel stations near them. As well as rates for these liquid fuels, EV charger prices can also be found. The Fuel Finder scheme is supplied by the UK Government, and it was previously known as PumpWatch prior to October 2024.

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A number of upgrades and even new laws have been introduced in order to improve the Fuel Finder service over the years, so keep reading to find out how it works and the ways in which you could save on your next fill-up.

What is Fuel Finder?

Fuel Finder is an open data-providing system which allows easy access to live fuel prices. In order to prevent any misleading information, it’s now a legal requirement for fuel retailers to provide their latest pricing information to Fuel Finder within 30 minutes of any changes taking place. This law came as part of a number of sweeping updates which took place in February 2026. 

Prices for liquid fuel are quoted as price per litre (as it is on garage forecourts), while EV charging is displayed in pence per kilowatt-hour. The Competition and Markets Authority is able to enforce fines on retailers who do not comply in making price data available.

How can I use Fuel Finder?

Fuel Finder’s data is free for everyone to see and use, but there is no Fuel Finder app yet. You’ll need a third-party app or website to access it. A number of navigation apps, such as Waze, as well as dedicated petrol pricing apps are all fed by Fuel Finder, so they are easy enough to find.

Why do we need Fuel Finder?

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has been studying fuel prices and noted that supermarket fuel margins approximately doubled between 2019 and 2023. The total additional cost to drivers in that time was calculated at £1.6 billion in 2023 alone. The CMA concluded that fuel retailers are failing consumers.

Did you know you can sell your car through Auto Express? We’ll help you get a great price and find a great deal on a new car, too.

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Shane is responsible for looking after the day-to-day running of the Auto Express website and social media channels. Prior to joining Auto Express in 2021, he worked as a radio producer and presenter for outlets such as the BBC.

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