Diesel prices: how to pay less as oil jumps 13% in October

Diesel drivers are paying an average of 198.4p a litre across the UK this morning, according to FuelWise's figures from the Government's Fuel Finder scheme. That is 26.6p more than the 171.8p average for E10 petrol, and diesel has been coming down more slowly: it is 0.4p cheaper than a week ago, while petrol is 1.5p cheaper.

Those small cuts are arriving as crude oil heads the other way. Brent crude was on course to finish October about 13% higher, Reuters reported, as attacks around the Gulf kept markets on edge. Nobody can say exactly where pump prices go next, but the gap between the cheapest and dearest places to buy diesel is much larger than any weekly move. This guide sets out where those savings are, using today's figures.

What is moving oil this week

Attacks around the Strait of Hormuz and Saudi Arabia. On Friday 30 October a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz was hit by explosive devices attached from a small boat, the UK maritime security service UKMTO said. Reuters reported that it was the first known successful limpet-mine strike in the waterway since the war with Iran began in February. Yemen's Houthis also said they had attacked Saudi oil sites, including the Ras Tanura and Rabigh refineries. Brent futures for December reached $117.75 a barrel on Friday, after touching $118, which Reuters described as the highest level since the end of April. Earlier in the week, RTÉ reported that oil rose about 1% on 28 October after the Houthis said they had hit Saudi Arabia's biggest refinery.

Fears of new US strikes after the midterms. The US midterm elections take place on 3 November. Countries in the region have been expecting that President Trump could restart attacks on Iran once voting is over, Reuters reported on Saturday. In the same report, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the President had not decided whether to launch new strikes and would prefer a diplomatic solution, while Iranian negotiators were holding talks with Qatari mediators in Doha. Saxo Bank said on Thursday that oil could become even more volatile over the next couple of weeks because of the elections.

OPEC+ holds steady. OPEC+ producers have agreed in principle to keep their December output targets unchanged at Sunday's online meeting of seven core members, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, three people told Reuters. Most Gulf members are still producing well below their targets because of disruption from the war, so the decision does not add supply.

For UK drivers, the result is that crude is expensive and unsettled. Diesel has felt it most: the RAC reported earlier this autumn that the average litre of diesel had reached a record 200.01p.

Tax will not change soon

Last week's Budget kept fuel duty at 52.95p a litre until July 2027. The 5p cut first made in 2022 had been due to be reversed from April 2027, the RAC says. The Chancellor turned down calls to cut VAT on fuel, so for now any saving will come from where you buy.

1. Buy at a supermarket where you can

Across 2,278 supermarket forecourts, diesel averages 195.7p, against 199.2p at other non-motorway forecourts. That 3.5p a litre is about £1.75 on a 50-litre fill.

The big four are close to one another: Tesco averages 195.6p, Asda 196.0p, Sainsbury's 196.2p and Morrisons 196.5p. Among the large fuel brands, Texaco is at 196.9p, Esso 199.4p, Shell 200.6p and BP 201.1p. Compare the brands on our Tesco and BP pages, or all of them on the brands page.

2. Fill up before the motorway

Diesel at the 147 motorway services in our data averages 216.7p, which is 18.3p above the UK average and 21.0p above the supermarket average. On a 50-litre fill, that 21p comes to about £10.50. If you are setting off on a long trip, fill up near home or come off at a junction to buy fuel.

3. Use standard diesel unless your handbook says otherwise

Premium diesel averages 217.5p, which is 19.1p more than standard diesel at 198.4p. That works out at about £9.55 extra on 50 litres. Check your car's handbook to see whether premium is recommended before paying the extra. Compare both on our diesel prices and premium diesel prices pages.

4. Know your area's prices

Regional averages for diesel are close in Great Britain, from 197.9p in the North East to 200.1p in the South East, with Scotland at 199.9p and London at 199.6p. Northern Ireland is cheaper at 190.8p, though its average has not moved in the past week. The bigger differences are between forecourts in the same town, which is why it pays to check before you drive. Find your area on our fuel prices by area page or check the live map.

5. Check prices often

Prices change all the time. In the past seven days FuelWise recorded 10,309 price changes at 5,137 forecourts, and 9,298 of those changes were cuts. In the last 24 hours there were 443 cuts and 87 rises. A forecourt that was dear last week may have cut its price since, so check on the day.

The bottom line

Diesel is still close to £2 a litre and has fallen by only 1.6p in the past 30 days, compared with 2.7p for petrol. With Brent up sharply in October and the risk of escalation in the Gulf in the news, the prices you can control are the ones you choose to pay: standard diesel rather than premium, a supermarket rather than a motorway services, and a quick check of local prices before you set off. For the weekly picture, see our latest Price Pulse: diesel fell 0.3p in the week to 25 October.