From 1 May 2026, every petrol station in the UK is legally required to report any price change to a central government database within 30 minutes, and the Competition and Markets Authority can now fine forecourts that fail to comply. The scheme, called Fuel Finder, gives UK drivers access to live forecourt prices for the first time and is expected to drive down the cost of filling up where local competition allows.
The end of the three-month grace period turns Fuel Finder from a voluntary good idea into an enforceable consumer right. This guide explains what the scheme does, how to use it, and the practical limits on what it can achieve, all based on the published Motor Fuel Price (Open Data) Regulations 2025 and CMA guidance.
What Fuel Finder is
Fuel Finder is the working name for the UK government scheme that requires every petrol filling station selling road fuel to publish its prices to a central database in near real time. The scheme is set out in the Motor Fuel Price (Open Data) Regulations 2025 and is run by an appointed aggregator on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Two duties apply to forecourt operators.
- Registration data: Trading name, address, location, opening hours, fuels sold, and forecourt amenities such as car wash, air, water, AdBlue, and 24-hour opening. Stations had to register between 18 December 2025 and 2 February 2026, with any changes reported within three days.
- Price data: Whenever a forecourt changes the price of any grade it sells (E5, E10, diesel, super diesel, B10, or HVO), that change must be reported to the central aggregator within 30 minutes.
The scheme covers every petrol station in the UK, whether independent or part of a major chain. From 1 May 2026, the Competition and Markets Authority can fine forecourts that fail to report price changes within the 30-minute window.
Why the scheme was introduced
The Fuel Finder scheme is the direct outcome of the Competition and Markets Authority road fuel market study, which found that UK fuel retail margins had widened above long-term norms and that price competition had weakened in recent years. The CMA estimated the additional cost to consumers from higher margins at around £1.6 billion in 2023 alone for diesel.
Fuel Finder addresses one specific cause: the difficulty of comparing prices before you fill up. By making forecourt prices publicly visible in near real time, the scheme increases the cost to retailers of pricing significantly above competitors. Whether that translates into lower prices nationally depends on local competitive conditions.
How drivers can use Fuel Finder
The CMA has confirmed that Fuel Finder data is published as an open feed. This means free apps, websites, and price comparison services can pull the live data and show drivers the cheapest forecourt near any postcode.
The most common ways to access the data:
- Free apps: Several established UK fuel apps now use the official feed. Examples include the RAC myRAC app, the Petrol Prices app, and various supermarket and motoring service apps.
- Map services: Some general mapping services have integrated live fuel price overlays.
- Direct CMA dataset: The full open data feed is published at gov.uk for technical users who want raw access.
For an average driver filling a 50-litre tank twice a month, the difference between the cheapest and most expensive station in a typical area can run to £4 to £8 per fill, or around £100 to £200 per year.
What the scheme will and will not do
Fuel Finder is a transparency tool, not a price control. It does not cap pump prices, set wholesale costs, or force retailers to match competitors. Its effect depends on drivers actually using it and on competitive density in any given area.
What it can do:
- Make pricing variation between nearby forecourts visible before you fill up.
- Reduce the gap between the cheapest and most expensive stations in competitive areas, since persistent outliers become easy to avoid.
- Provide reliable data for the CMA to monitor whether retail margins are returning to long-term norms.
What it will not do:
- Lower prices in areas with limited choice. Rural drivers with one or two local stations may see little benefit.
- Override the underlying drivers of pump prices, which are dominated by international crude prices, fuel duty (52.95 pence per litre), and 20% VAT.
- Affect motorway service stations, which operate as captive markets and continue to charge well above national averages.
What enforcement looks like in practice
The CMA has indicated it will use its powers proportionately, focusing first on clear-cut cases of unregistered forecourts and persistent mismatches between reported and pump prices. Public messaging from the regulator suggests an emphasis on bringing operators into compliance rather than punitive fines as the default.
For drivers, the enforcement angle matters because it gives the data feed credibility. A scheme that retailers could ignore without consequence would degrade quickly into out-of-date prices and gamed reporting. Enforcement keeps the data trustworthy.
The first formal annual report under the scheme is expected later in 2026 and will include data drawn directly from the Fuel Finder feed.
How to get the most out of Fuel Finder
- Set up a fuel app on your phone before you next need to fill up. The first time you use it counts; subsequent uses save real money.
- Plan your refill around your usual routes, not as an emergency stop. Drivers who fill up only when warning lights come on tend to use whatever forecourt is nearest, which is rarely the cheapest.
- Check the supermarket forecourts in your area. They averaged 4 to 6 pence per litre cheaper than premium-brand sites in early 2026 according to RAC weekly data, though the gap varies by region.
- Avoid motorway service stations except in genuine emergencies. Average pump prices run 15 to 20 pence per litre higher than national averages, regardless of Fuel Finder.
- If a forecourt's reported price disagrees with the displayed pump price, report it. The CMA welcomes consumer reports of suspected non-compliance through its published channels.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always verify rates with official sources and consider speaking to a qualified financial adviser before making decisions about mortgages, savings, or investments.
Frequently asked questions
Is Fuel Finder a government app?
No. Fuel Finder is the open data feed that forecourts must report to. The government does not run a single official consumer app. Instead, multiple free third-party apps and websites use the feed to display live prices.
How often must forecourts update their prices?
Within 30 minutes of any price change. This includes changes to any grade sold (E5, E10, diesel, super diesel, B10, HVO).
What happens if a station does not report a price change?
The Competition and Markets Authority can issue fines. The CMA has indicated it will focus initially on persistent or clear-cut non-compliance rather than minor delays.
Does Fuel Finder cover motorway service stations?
Yes. All UK petrol filling stations selling road fuel are covered, including those on motorways. Motorway service stations typically charge well above national averages regardless.
Will Fuel Finder make petrol cheaper everywhere?
No. Fuel Finder increases price transparency, which tends to narrow the gap between cheapest and most expensive forecourts in areas with multiple competitors. In areas with limited choice, the effect is much smaller.
Where is the official Fuel Finder data feed?
The open dataset and CMA scheme guidance are published on gov.uk. The dataset is free to access for any consumer or developer.
Sources and verification
- Motor Fuel Price (Open Data) Regulations 2025
- Competition and Markets Authority, Fuel Finder scheme guidance and open letter to forecourt operators (2 April 2026)
- Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Quarterly Energy Prices, March 2026
- Competition and Markets Authority, road fuel market study and updates
- HM Treasury, fuel duty rates and policy framework
