CMA issues warning letters to petrol stations failing to report prices

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has begun issuing hundreds of warning letters to UK petrol stations that are failing to comply with mandatory fuel price reporting requirements. This enforcement action, confirmed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, targets retailers that have neglected to submit live pricing data to the government-run Fuel Finder scheme.

The scheme, which became mandatory for all UK forecourts on 2 February 2026, requires retailers to report any changes in petrol and diesel prices to a centralized database within 30 minutes. The initiative was designed to foster transparency and allow motorists to locate the lowest prices in their area. Ministers have previously estimated that the program could save the average car-owning household £40 per year by increasing competition among fuel retailers.

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Despite the legal requirement being in place for several months, data analysis indicates significant lapses in compliance. Recent findings show that approximately 570 of the 8,338 active petrol stations in the UK have not submitted any pricing information at all. Furthermore, among the sites that have participated, 1,751 stations have not updated their prices in over a week, with 96 of those locations failing to provide an update for at least a month. Of the 7,765 open forecourts currently tracked, 2,229 are supermarket-owned, with hundreds of those also failing to provide timely updates.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves stated that the government would not accept non-compliance from businesses. Our Fuel Finder is increasing transparency and driving down prices for drivers, but it is clear some businesses are failing to do this. That is not right, the Chancellor said via Herald Scotland. Reeves warned that if businesses persist in failing to report price changes, the CMA will move from issuing warnings to imposing financial penalties.

The CMA has noted that while the majority of stations are currently registered and reporting data, it will continue to take action against those refusing to follow the law. The watchdog acknowledged that some retailers may update their prices less frequently due to specific business strategies, but maintained that prompt reporting remains a legal obligation.

Representatives for the fuel industry have provided context regarding the potential difficulties faced by smaller retailers. The Petrol Retailers Association stated that smaller, rural forecourts—which may only receive fuel deliveries once per month—might struggle to provide frequent price updates compared to larger, urban operators. The scheme is operated by the government in partnership with the technology company VE3.

The introduction of the Fuel Finder follows a recommendation by the CMA in July 2023, which concluded that competition among retailers had weakened significantly since 2019. The investigation found that during a single year, drivers paid nearly £1 billion more for fuel at supermarkets than they might have in a more competitive environment, largely due to increased profit margins.

What to watch next

• Regulatory Escalation: The CMA has explicitly stated it will progress to issuing fines for repeat offenders who fail to report pricing data.
• Fuel Duty Status: The government has confirmed that the 5p per litre fuel duty cut will remain in place until the end of 2026 to assist motorists with ongoing cost-of-living pressures.
• Wider Motoring Changes: Drivers are currently adjusting to several recent updates in the politics of transport, including the backdated 55p-per-mile business mileage allowance, which is now in effect for the first 10,000 miles of business travel.

As the conflict in the Middle East continues to impact global oil markets, the government maintains that keeping pump prices transparent is essential to protecting households. While the current focus remains on retailer compliance with the Fuel Finder, motorists are advised to monitor official channels for further updates regarding car tax reforms and potential changes to mileage and duty structures as the 2026 fiscal year progresses.