You shouldn't assume supermarkets will offer the lowest petrol and diesel prices
For longer than most of us can remember, the financial rules of the refuelling game at forecourts have been fair and easy to understand. In the interests of genuine and much-needed consumer choice, it has gone a bit like this…
Motorists watching the pennies have tended to shop at Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Asda and other supermarkets where own-brand fuel has been cheapest. Drivers less concerned about prices have used traditional forecourts, where oil giants such as Esso and Shell sell generally more expensive fuels.
This is a textbook case of you pay your money and take your choice! I've long believed that such a consumer-friendly arrangement couldn't be simpler. Advertisement - Article continues below
But for the first time ever, I'm starting to question it. No longer can I, or you, assume that supermarkets will offer the lowest pump prices. I hope I'm wrong, but I fear that the rules of engagement are changing, because in the hundreds of miles I've driven over the past week, I've bought fuel everywhere from traditional forecourts to supermarkets – and it's the latter that have got their prices horribly wrong as far as I, and my wallet, are concerned.
Examples of outlets (in the same area) I bought from, or boycotted, within a 24-hour window last week: unleaded costing 131p per litre (£5.95 a gallon) on Esso forecourts (plural) and 132p (£6.00) at a nearby Shell garage. Yet just up the road, a Sainsbury's site demanded 135p (£6.14) and Morrisons and Asda outlets wanted 134p (£6.08). Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below
I fear it could be the end of an era. The business model that has hitherto operated on the basis that supermarkets should offer the cheapest fuel seems broken. Great shame, that.
And before anyone argues that all this tight-fisted, penny-pinching stuff from me is unimportant in the great scheme of things, consider this: a private motorist driving 10,000 miles annually over 50 years – between the ages of 18 and 68 perhaps – will enjoy half a million miles, or thereabouts, behind the wheel. If he or she typically achieves around 40mpg and, at today's prices, pays £7 a gallon (154 ppl) instead of the sub-£6 gallon (131p) he/she could be paying, £250 will be wasted every year. Over five decades that equates to an overspend of £12,500 – the price of a decent used premium car.
Get ripped off by being daft enough to stump up £8 per gallon (176ppl) in today's money and you'll needlessly overspend £500 annually or, over the course of that half-century driving life, about £25k. This is equivalent to buying a brand new Renault 5 (officially crowned The New Car World Champ 24/25) while still leaving enough change for an exotic holiday for a week or two. Crazy but true!
Yet such massive savings really are achievable for drivers who bother to do their homework and find the lowest prices – while giving those priced highest the swerve they deserve!
Do you usually fill up with supermarket fuel? Let us know in the comments section below...
Find a car with the experts 2026 Land Rover Defender updates look subtle, but they fix one huge annoyance for owners
2026 Land Rover Defender updates look subtle, but they fix one huge annoyance for owners
Land Rover has introduced new, larger white-painted steel wheels for models with big brakes, fixing one massive irritation with the previous generatio… Electric car drivers won't ever go back to petrol or diesel
Electric car drivers won't ever go back to petrol or diesel
Editor Paul Barker thinks the EV transition is coming whether we like it or not The MG HS just got hot! New 221bhp Hybrid+ model joins line-up
The MG HS just got hot! New 221bhp Hybrid+ model joins line-up
The Hybrid+ gives the MG HS another tool to take on the Dacia Bigster
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
20 minutes ago
- BBC News
What in the World Why some athletes and musicians are using OnlyFans as a side hustle
OnlyFans is an online platform where people create content (photos, videos and live streams), which can be monetised. Although it hosts a variety of content across topics like fitness and cooking, OnlyFans is known widely for hosting adult content, much of it explicit. As its popularity has soared, so too has the controversy and stigma surrounding the platform. Last week, Kurts Adams Rozentals, a world-class British canoeist, revealed that he had been banned from competing by Paddle UK — the sport's governing body — after they learned he was an OnlyFans content creator. He told the BBC he started posting content because Paddle UK's annual grant of £16,000 was insufficient to cover rent, travel, food and other expenses associated with full-time training in London. BBC Business Reporter Charlotte Edwards explains exactly how the platform works and who owns it. She also gives us the latest on the embattled British canoer. Plus: Chimgozirim Nwokoma, a senior reporter for Tech Point Africa, tells us about All Access Fans — an African start-up that have taken inspiration from OnlyFans' subscription-based business model — and the reaction to it. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: whatintheworld@ WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: William Lee Adams and Benita Barden Editor: Verity Wilde
BBC News
39 minutes ago
- BBC News
UK threatens to sue Abramovich over Chelsea sale
The UK government has threatened to sue former Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich to make sure the money from the club's sale goes to £2.5bn in proceeds have been frozen in a UK bank account since the sale, with Mr Abramovich sanctioned after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February UK government wants the money to be for Ukrainian humanitarian aid, but Mr Abramovich has said he wants it to go to "all victims of the war in Ukraine".In a joint statement, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: "While the door for negotiations will remain open, we are fully prepared to pursue this through the courts if required." They said they wanted "to ensure people suffering in Ukraine can benefit from these proceeds as soon as possible".They added: "The government is determined to see the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine, following Russia's illegal full-scale invasion. "We are deeply frustrated that it has not been possible to reach agreement on this with Mr Abramovich so far".The delay in releasing the funds centres on a disagreement between the UK government and his Abramovich - a Russian billionaire who made his fortune in oil and gas - was granted a special licence to sell Chelsea following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, providing he could prove he would not benefit from the is alleged to have strong ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, something he has cannot access the £2.5bn sale proceeds under UK sanctions but the money still legally belongs to he announced his decision to sell the club, he said proceeds from the sale would be donated via a foundation "for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine", which would include those in Russia. The UK government has pushed back and argued that the funds should only be spent on humanitarian efforts inside Ukraine.A House of Lords committee said last year said it was "incomprehensible" that Mr Abramovich's promise to use the funds to support Ukraine remained unfulfilled, and that the assets remained frozen."This impasse reflects badly on both Mr Abramovich and the government, which ought to have pushed for a more binding commitment," the report said.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Santander is making a huge change to bank accounts used by thousands from TODAY
SANTANDER is slashing interest rates for two of its savings accounts from today - and customers should check if they're affected. The major bank is cutting savings rates from June 3 (today) on its Good for Life ISA and Rate for Life accounts. 1 The interest rate on the Good for Life ISA account will drop from 4.5% to 4.25%, while the rate for the Rate for Life account will drop from 4.75% to 4.5%. Those who have saved less than £1,000 in the Rate for Life account will still continue to earn the same rate (1%) on these balances. It comes after the Bank of England (BoE) cut the base rate from 4.5% to 4.25% last month - the fourth cut since 2020. The base rate is used by banks to determine the interest rates offered to customers on savings and borrowing costs. While a rate cut is good news for borrowers, it's usually bad news for savers, who will usually see savings rates fall when the base rate is cut. This means they will earn less on their cash. For example, the average easy access savings rate was 2.78% on May 8, when the base rate was cut. Now it has dropped to 2.72%, according to comparison site Moneyfacts. Santander is not the only bank cutting rates on savings accounts. HSBC has also cut rates on eight of its savings accounts today. Nationwide Building Society cut savings rates on 63 of its accounts on Sunday, from easy-access ISAs to children's accounts. NatWest cut savings rates on four of its accounts last Friday. Meanwhile, rates on three of its savings accounts and a kids' current account will be slashed from July 15. How to get the best savings rate As savings rates tumble, now is a good time to check what the interest rate is on your existing account. Around £280billion is sitting in accounts paying zero interest, according to latest data from the BoE. If you have an interest rate below the rate of inflation - which is currently 3.5% - then consider moving your money elsewhere, otherwise the spending power of your savings is eaten away. Use price comparison sites such as or to browse the best savings accounts on the market. The best easy access savings rate (based on a balance of £1,000) is offered by Atom Bank at 4.5 per cent. Experts are predicting that more cuts to the base rate this year are likely, so it may be worth considering locking up your money in a fixed rate savings account if you can afford to do so. The best one year fixed rate savings account is offered by Hampshire Trust Bank at 4.45%. However, be aware that you usually can't make withdrawals out of fixed term savings accounts, even in an emergency. Anne Bowes from The Private Office said: 'Review your savings accounts and switch if you are being paid an uncompetitive rate. 'Double check the terms and conditions of any account you are looking to open – or indeed close - as some accounts may have very short-term bonuses or restricted access. 'That means you might not earn as much interest as you hoped, or get hold of the money in as timely a manner as you were expecting.' How to switch banks For customers not happy with the latest shake-up, you may want to consider switching banks. Switching bank accounts is a simple process and can usually be done through the Current Account Switch Service (CASS). Dozens of high street banks and building societies are signed up - there's a full list on CASS' website. Under the switching service, swapping banks should take seven working days. You don't have to remember to move direct debits across when moving, as this is done for you. All you have to do is apply for the new account you want, and the new bank will tell your existing one you're moving. There are a few things you can do before switching though, including choosing your switch date and transferring any old bank statements to your new account. You should get in touch with your existing bank for any old statements. When switching current accounts, consider what other perks might come with joining a specific bank or building society. Some banks offer 0% overdrafts up to a certain limit, and others might offer better rates on savings accounts. And some banks offer free travel or mobile phone insurance with their current accounts - but these accounts might come with a monthly fee. Where to find the best savings rates Many savings accounts offer miserly rates meaning that money is generating little or no return. However, there are ways to get your cash working hard. Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to make sure you money is getting the best interest rate. Easy access savings accounts offer flexibility for customers, meaning they can dip in and out of cash when needed. However, the caveat is that rates can change at any time. If you're keeping your money in an easy access account, you'll need to keep checking whether it's the best paying account for your circumstances and move if not. Check in at least once a month to see what is happening in the market. Check what is offered by your bank - sometimes the best rates are for customers only. But do search the wider market as often top savings accounts are offered by lesser known providers. Comparison sites are a good place to check for the top rates. Try or Moneysupermarket. You can search by different account type. You'll usually get a better interest rate if you can lock your money away for a fixed amount of time, but it's always a good idea to keep some money in an easy access account in case of emergencies. Don't overlook regular savings accounts often pay some of the best rates, but you'll need to commit to monthly payments. This can be a great way to get into a savings habit while earning top rates at the same time.
