Guidance

How we’re making it easier for you to get road fuel prices

Published 31 August 2023

This guidance was withdrawn on

This guidance relates to the interim, voluntary open data scheme for road fuel prices. The interim scheme closed on 1 May 2026, so this guidance has been withdrawn.

The permanent open data scheme, Fuel Finder, is now available to help drivers find the cheapest fuel near them. Fuel retailers must register with Fuel Finder and submit updates within 30 minutes of any price change.

The CMA has a statutory role of enforcing compliance by retailers with their legal obligations. Find out how we use our enforcement powers.

Finding and comparing fuel prices in your area

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is working to make sure that fuel retailers provide more up-to-date information about fuel prices, in a format that is machine readable.

This means other businesses can use the data and add it to existing and new applications and websites. This data can then be passed on to drivers to find and compare fuel prices in a selected area.

It’s up to individual retailers to decide if they want to show fuel price data on their websites.

The government consulted on the permanent scheme in autumn 2023 which will be mandatory to make sure real-time fuel prices are available for consumers.

Making sure prices are accurate and up to date

The scheme will provide the most recent pricing data available (retailers should compile and upload their fuel price data before midday each day). However, there may sometimes be a delay between when forecourt fuel prices are set, and when prices are displayed by a third-party comparator.

The CMA has recommended that a mandatory scheme is put in place as soon as possible.

To find out more about what we’re doing to provide access to road fuel price data, read our blog post.