Motorists are experiencing continued pain at the pump, with petrol and diesel prices rising for the fourth straight month, according to new data from RAC Fuel Watch. Unleaded petrol is now 5p per litre more expensive than at the start of October, while diesel has increased by 6p per litre.

In January alone, petrol prices rose by 2p per litre, averaging 139p (up from 136.9p at the start of 2025), and diesel by nearly 3p, reaching an average of 145.7p (from 142.9p). This translates to a more than £2 increase for filling a typical 55-litre family petrol car compared to four months ago (£76.44 vs. £74.25 when petrol was 135p per litre), and a more than £3 increase for diesel (£80.15 vs. £76.70 when diesel was 139.5p per litre).

The RAC attributes these price increases to a mid-month surge in global oil prices, which briefly pushed the cost of a barrel above $80. This, coupled with a slight weakening of the pound, further inflated wholesale fuel costs for UK retailers.

“It’s been a difficult start to 2025 for drivers, with pump prices rising for four consecutive months,” said Simon Williams, RAC head of policy. “Sadly, filling up now costs nearly £3 more than it did at the beginning of October. We hope this trend reverses and prices begin to fall. Much depends on global oil supply and demand, and while oil prices are volatile, some analysts predict an average price closer to $70 this year, which could bring relief at the pumps.”

RAC Fuel Watch data also reveals that the average price of unleaded at the big four supermarkets rose by 1.6p per litre to 134p, and diesel by almost 2p to 141.6p. Supermarket petrol remains 3.5p cheaper than the national average, while diesel is 4p cheaper.

Motorway service stations saw a 3.5p increase in petrol prices during January, with unleaded now costing 161.9p per litre and diesel 169.83p.

Regional price variations (excluding motorway services) show England with the highest unleaded price at 138.5p, followed by Wales (137.3p) and Scotland (136.9p), with Northern Ireland significantly lower at 133.1p. For diesel, England again leads at 145.2p, with Scotland (143.9p) and Wales (143.4p) close behind, and Northern Ireland at 137.9p.


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