Every driver in Britain issued urgent four-word warning to save big on petrol this summer – get it while you can

DRIVERS have been handed an urgent “four-word warning” to help them save big on petrol this summer.

Lower prices could help you get more for your money at the pump but slashed rates aren’t expected to last long.

The AA is urging Brits to take advantage of a dip in fuel prices last week “sooner rather than later”.

The average price of petrol at UK forecourts tumbled from 150.1p per litre to 144.5p, according to the association.

That’s still a couple of pennies above the pre-Covid record of 142.5p, recorded back in 2012.

However, prices have only fallen below that mark once between the start of the Ukraine War in 2022 and now.

Likewise, diesel saw the per litre cost drop from 158.3p to 149.6p.

Hopes that prices would continue on a downward trajectory have been dashed by a resurgence in US oil prices, meaning that rates at petrol stations are temporarily bottoming out right now.

We remain baffled how the very same fuel can be sold for such vastly different prices by the biggest retailers

Simon WilliamsHead of Roads Policy, RAC

The AA is concerned that we will see a price spike leading into the summer holiday season as we did last year.

As such, the organisation is recommending drivers take advantage of lower costs while they can and potentially save hundreds.

Based on an average 50-litre tank, you could be cutting up to about £4 off the price of every tank compared to when petrol prices are over the 150p mark.

AA fuel price spokesperson Luke Bosdet said: “The question is whether, after a significant fall in the UK’s average petrol price in June, the price will repeat last year’s sharp rise going further into the summer.

“It would be a blow for the impending summer getaway if the cost of road travel took off again.

“For now, filling up sooner rather than later will take advantage of current lower prices.”

Likewise, the RAC’s monthly report has suggested that prices should be 4.5p per litre cheaper across Britain for petrol and 8p for diesel, based on wholesale prices.

Simon Williams, head of road policy for the RAC, added: “While it’s good news prices at the pumps have fallen for the second month in a row, this also leaves a bad taste in the mouth because we know drivers in Great Britain are continuing to get a raw deal as both petrol and diesel are still much more expensive than in Northern Ireland.

“We remain baffled how the very same fuel can be sold for such vastly different prices by the biggest retailers, whether they’re run by supermarkets or the world’s largest oil companies.

“It’s also the case that while oil has increased….wholesale costs are still low enough to merit cheaper prices at the pumps.

“We will continue to highlight this disparity, along with the massive differences between major retailers’ high and low prices, to the new government and the Competition and Markets Authority with a view to them being addressed by the new Pumpwatch scheme when it is up and running.”