Road fuel monitoring and enforcement
How the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) monitors the road fuel market and its approach to enforcement of Fuel Finder.
In 2023, the CMA published the final report of its road fuel market study. This included 2 recommendations to the UK government to address the weakening of competition:
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a new Fuel Finder scheme, to give drivers access to live, station-by-station fuel prices
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to establish a road fuel price monitoring function to hold the industry accountable
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCC Act) received Royal Assent and gave the CMA statutory information-gathering powers so that it could undertake the monitoring function.
Fuel Finder
The UK government has introduced Fuel Finder, an Open Data scheme for fuel prices. The scheme is operated by VE3 Global Limited under the Motor Fuel Price (Open Data) Regulations 2025.
Under this scheme, motor fuel traders must be registered and must submit fuel price updates to Fuel Finder within 30 minutes of any price change.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has published guidance on reporting your fuel prices and forecourt details.
The CMA has powers to investigate and take enforcement action in relation to non-compliance with the scheme. From 1 May 2026, we will start prioritising enforcement action against non-compliance, if we receive information that indicates formal action may be appropriate.
Find out more about the Fuel Finder service.
Fuel Finder guidance
Annual reports
Annual monitoring reports focus on competition in the road fuel market and how well the market is working for consumers.
Quarterly update reports
Update monitoring reports include information on average pump prices, including retail spread and fuel margins.
Road fuel monitoring guidance
The CMA monitors competition in the road fuel sector. This guidance explains how we use our statutory powers. The guidance applies to:
- supermarket retailers
- motorway retailers with 5 or more sites
- non-supermarket retailers with 80 or more sites
Road fuel open data scheme
The CMA has collated links to data provided by suppliers as part of the temporary road fuel price open data scheme. This is an interim and voluntary scheme.
Consultations
Updates to this page
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Fuel Finder open letter published.
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The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Fuel Finder guidance link added.
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December 2025 road fuel annual monitoring report added.
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Fuel Finder draft guidance on the CMA’s enforcement functions consultation added.
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September 2025 quarterly update report added.
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June 2025 quarterly update report added to page.
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March 2025 quarterly update report published.
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Road fuel monitoring guidance added.
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Draft new guidance for road fuel monitoring consultation published.
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July 2024 interim road fuel monitoring update published.
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November 2023 interim road fuel monitoring update published
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First published.