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RAC Says UK Pump Prices Barely Fell in August as Retailer Margins Stayed High

The RAC says elevated retailer margins are blocking wholesale savings from reaching drivers.

Overview

  • Average pump prices slipped by less than a penny in August to 134.64p for petrol and 142.2p for diesel, with a typical 55‑litre fill costing about £74.05.
  • The RAC cites Competition and Markets Authority findings that margins remain far above historic levels and that competition in the retail market is weak.
  • Supermarket reductions were minimal, with average unleaded down 0.23p to 131.26p and diesel down 0.3p to 138.81p over the month.
  • Northern Ireland stands out as cheaper, averaging 127.9p for petrol and 134.5p for diesel, roughly 5p and 7p below the UK averages.
  • Only a handful of forecourts undercut the market sharply, including petrol at 126.7p at MFG Morrisons in Leighton Buzzard and diesel at about 131–131.9p at BP on Newton Road in Bovey Tracey.