UK petrol and diesel prices: what drivers are paying today

Petrol is averaging 161.2p a litre at UK forecourts right now, and diesel is running noticeably higher at 181.9p, meaning the gap between the two fuels stands at 20.7p a litre, according to official UK fuel price data gathered from 7,826 sites across the country.

For a driver with a typical 55-litre petrol tank, a full fill from empty costs around £88.66 at today's average price. Switch to diesel and that same sized tank costs roughly £100.05 to fill. If you are paying for premium E5 unleaded rather than standard E10, the average price is 178.8p a litre, adding around £9.68 to the cost of that same fill compared with standard petrol.

The 20.7p-a-litre premium for diesel over standard unleaded is a real consideration if you are weighing up the running costs of your next vehicle. Diesel drivers have historically recouped that pump penalty through better motorway fuel economy, but the sums are tighter than they once were, and anyone doing mostly short urban journeys will find it hard to come out ahead.

For drivers thinking about changing their car, knowing what it is actually worth right now matters as much as knowing what fuel costs. Car.co.uk offers a free instant valuation so you can see what your car is worth today, along with free tools including an MOT history check, a car tax calculator and a car finance calculator. If you decide you want to sell, it buys cars directly from owners, with free collection and payment by bank transfer, so you are not left haggling or waiting for a private buyer.