What is the Fuel Finder scheme?
The Fuel Finder scheme is a statutory open-data initiative under the Motor Fuel Price (Open Data) Regulations 2025. It started on 2 February 2026. Every petrol and diesel forecourt in the UK must report a price change within 30 minutes. This means no company can update its prices without sharing the data.
The goal is simple: to make fuel prices more transparent. Drivers can see what others are paying. Retailers can’t hide sudden increases or discounts. The scheme is a legal requirement. All operators must comply.
The data is fed into a central government database. It’s accessible to the public and third-party sites like My Fuel Prices. We pull the information directly, not from estimates or guesses. This ensures accuracy. Before the scheme, drivers had no way to know if they were paying more than others. Now, they can compare prices in real time across the UK.
Where did it come from?
The idea began with the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) road fuel market study. The CMA found that drivers were overpaying because prices were hard to compare. The Competition and Markets Authority estimated drivers can save up to 9 pounds a tank by shopping around, which is part of why the scheme was created. Some stations changed prices multiple times a day without informing customers. Others used loyalty schemes to keep standard prices artificially high.
The CMA report highlighted a lack of competition. Retailers had too much control over data. The government responded with the Fuel Finder scheme. The scheme is a legal requirement.
The study also noted that some retailers used tactics to obscure true prices. These practices made it difficult for drivers to find the best deals.
The scheme was designed to address this imbalance. By making data public, it levels the playing field. Retailers can’t manipulate prices without others seeing. Drivers can make informed choices.
What does this mean for you?
Every price at every forecourt is public. You can check them in real time. Sites like My Fuel Prices use that official data feed directly. We don’t guess. We don’t estimate. We show what the stations report.
This matters. Before the scheme, drivers had no way to know if they were paying more than others. Now, you can compare prices across the UK. You can spot trends. You can plan your fill-ups.
For example, if you’re driving from London to Edinburgh, you can check prices at stations along the route. You might find a station offering 169.4p that is lower than the average in the area. You can save money by refuelling there.
The scheme also helps identify price gouging. If a station consistently charges more than others, it’s easy to spot. That can prompt action from regulators or customers.
The limits of the data
There are two key limitations. First, a price change at a pump might not appear instantly. The 30-minute rule means data can lag slightly. If a station drops its price at 9:00 AM, the update might not show until 9:15 AM.
This is a necessary compromise. The government chose 30 minutes to balance real-time updates with the practicalities of data collection. Stations need time to process and report changes. Most updates appear within minutes, but delays can occur.
Second, loyalty and fuel-card prices differ from standard prices. These are not covered by the scheme. A station might offer a discount to cardholders but charge the standard rate to others. That’s why we note when prices are non-standard.
This is important. If you use a fuel card, the prices you see on our site might not match what you pay. We highlight this to avoid confusion. You’ll always know if a price is for standard customers only.
Common questions
How can I trust the prices you show?
We get our data directly from the Fuel Finder scheme. Every station reports its prices. We don’t add or remove anything. You can see the full feed at data-sources.
Why do prices change so often?
Retailers adjust prices based on wholesale costs, competition, and demand. The Fuel Finder scheme allows them to update prices freely. You’ll see these changes reflected in real time.
Can I use your site to find the cheapest fuel?
Yes. We show all prices live. You can filter by location, price, or station. Just visit find fuel prices.
What if a station’s price is wrong?
The scheme requires accurate reporting. If a station submits incorrect data, it risks penalties. We rely on the official feed. You can report errors via our about page.
Are there any hidden costs?
No. The scheme covers standard prices only. Loyalty or fuel-card discounts are separate. We highlight these clearly. You’ll never see a price without context.
How often are prices updated?
Stations must report changes within 30 minutes. Most updates appear within minutes, but delays are possible. We show the latest data available at any given time.
Can I see historical price data?
The site already shows price history on its trends page. You can view it at price trends.