Fuel prices fall sharply throughout September, bringing relief to UK motorists
Updated: Oct 7
UK drivers have seen a significant drop in fuel prices throughout September, with petrol and diesel falling by an average of 6.5p per litre. This represents the ninth-largest monthly price decline since 2000, according to recent data from RAC Fuel Watch.
At the start of the month, a litre of unleaded petrol cost an average of 141.26p, but by the end of September, it had dropped to 134.79p. Diesel followed a similar trend, falling from 146p to 139.5p per litre. This reduction means drivers are now saving approximately £3.60 each time they fill up a 55-litre family car. A full tank of unleaded costs around £74, while a tank of diesel comes in at just under £77.
The decrease at the pump has been largely influenced by a drop in crude oil prices. At the start of September, a barrel of oil was priced at $78, down from $90 in July, and ended the month at $72. A slightly stronger pound also played a role, making wholesale fuel—traded in dollars—cheaper for UK retailers.
Petrol prices have been steadily falling since May, dropping by 15.5p per litre from 150.3p, which equates to an £8.50 saving on a full tank. Diesel prices have also come down sharply by 18.5p per litre, translating to a £10 saving for drivers filling up an average tank.
The RAC reports that the current wholesale price for petrol stands at 99p per litre, while diesel sits at 103p. These figures suggest there may be further room for retail prices to drop, potentially by another 4p per litre in the coming weeks, if savings continue to be passed on to consumers.
Motorists refuelling at major supermarket forecourts are also seeing additional savings. Petrol prices at the big four supermarkets average 131.86p per litre, while diesel stands at 136.47p—both approximately 3p cheaper per litre compared to the national average.
RAC Head of Policy, Simon Williams, said: “Drivers will be very pleased to see prices at the pump not only continuing to fall but dropping by 6.5p in just a month as this translates to saving £3.60 on a full tank.
“Since the start of May prices have come down dramatically, with 15.5p being shaved off unleaded and 18.5p off diesel.
“The reductions have primarily been driven by a drop in the price of oil from above $90 in early April to below $70 briefly in mid-September, supported by a slightly stronger pound which makes wholesale fuel cheaper as it’s traded in dollars.
“With analysts predicting oil may continue to fall on the back of a weakened global economy and Saudi Arabia upping its output to regain lost market share, the immediate future on the UK’s forecourts looks considerably brighter for drivers.”
