Warning issued to millions of drivers who filled up with petrol or diesel in January
A warning has been issued to millions of drivers who filled up their cars with petrol or diesel last month. January motorists who visited forecourts up and down the land, from Asda and Sainsbury's to Morrisons and Tesco, have been warned.
Drivers have faced rising prices, with motorists hit by a fourth consecutive monthly rise in fees. The latest data from RAC Fuel Watch shows petrol now costs an average of 139p per litre, up from 136.9p at the start of 2025, while diesel has risen to 145.7p from 142.9p.
The price increases mean filling up a typical 55-litre family car with petrol now costs £76.44, compared to £74.25 four months ago when a litre was 135p - a rise of £2.19, which over the course of a 52-week year, could mean you are paying £113 more.
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For diesel vehicles, the impact is even greater, with a full tank now costing £80.15, more than £3 higher than October's price of £76.70 when diesel was 139.5p per litre. RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: "It's not been a good start to 2025 for drivers at the pumps with prices going up for the fourth month in a row. Sadly, filling up is now nearly £3 more expensive than it was at the start of October."
"We hope this trend won’t continue and that prices drop back down again. Much, of course, depends on global oil supply and demand. While the price of oil can be notoriously volatile, there’s reason to think forecourt fuel prices may get cheaper in the coming months as some analysts are predicting an average oil price nearer to $70 (£55.93) this year."
The RAC says the rises have been driven by a mid-month spike in the oil price which saw the cost of a barrel shoot up above $80 for several days. This, together with a slight weakening in the value of the pound which made wholesale fuel more expensive to buy, had an unwelcome effect on the UK’s forecourts.