At the time of publication more than 114,000 people had signed a Downing Street petition urging the government to reduce fuel duty. Hauliers have also voiced their concerns - we saw them embark on a 'go slow' protest through London and South Wales.
Fuel prices have surged by more than 25% in the last four months alone and motorists are now paying 115p per litre for unleaded petrol and 127.9p per litre for diesel.
While we can't control the price at the pump, there are steps we can take to minimise our motoring costs. Here are our top ten tips:
1. Find cheaper car insurance
Around two-thirds of car owners have not switched their car insurance over the last year, despite the fact that renewal premiums typically rise year-on-year. Even if your insurer offered best value for money when you took out the policy, it is unlikely to be the cheapest now as providers offer their best deals to new customers in an effort to attract business. So when your policy is up for renewal make sure you shop around to ensure you are not paying more than you need. Compare rates with our comparison tool to find the cheapest deal for the level of cover you require.
Also look at other ways to cut your insurance premium - most providers will offer discounts if you: take an advanced driver's course, such as a Pass Plus, which requires an extra six hours tuition but can earn you discounts as high as 35%; enhance the security of your vehicle by parking it in a garage overnight or by fitting alarms and immobilisers; reduce the number of named drivers on your policy. For more ideas, check out our top tips for cheaper car insurance.
2. Get the best deal on breakdown cover
When money is tight breakdown cover might seem like an expense you could do without - however, if you break down on the motorway, being rescued could set you back hundreds of pounds. And according to UKnetguide, even a local garage will charge around £40 for a call-out and an additional £1.50 for every mile you want to be towed, so breakdown cover is clearly worthwhile.
However, the cost of this protection varies significantly so it's worth shopping around. The AA and RAC are the best-known brands but there is a host of breakdown service providers in the UK that are equally well-equipped to deal with a call-out and they are usually a lot less expensive. For example, a 25-year-old male with a five-year-old car travelling approximately 10,000 miles a year would pay just £30.25 a year for 'platinum cover' through Rescuemycar.com, which includes a tow to garage, fix at roadside or home, recovery to any destination and car hire or accommodation. By comparison the same driver would pay £128.25 for an equivalent policy with the RAC or £130 a year with the AA. That's a saving of nearly £100 for cover that is as comprehensive. Use a breakdown cover comparison tool to find the cheapest deal for your needs.
3. Find the cheapest fuel in your area
While you can't control petrol pricing you can make sure you're getting the best deal around. Comparison website petrolprices.com allows you to compare prices at local petrol stations just by entering your postcode. The differences can be significant - for example in the L35 (Liverpool) postcode area the cheapest price for unleaded at the time of writing was 109.9p per litre - the highest price however, was 123p per litre.
4. Reduce the amount of driving you do
It's a simple equation, but the less you drive, the less it will cost. For example, could you use public transport on a trip into the city or could you walk or cycle on short journeys? If you commute to work every day see if a colleague lives close by that you could car share with - instantly cutting your weekly motoring time, and therefore your costs, in half.
5. Save on parts and servicing
It makes sense to visit a main dealer when you are within the warranty period of your car but if you're not, look around for better deals. Generally the labour rate per hour is much higher at a dealer than a family-owned garage and main dealers are also more likely to fit manufacturer's own original parts, which are generally more expensive.
Ask around for recommendations from friends and family - it's important to find a garage you can trust. For small jobs you may even be able to deal with the task yourself or buy your own parts so you can ensure you're not being ripped-off.
It's worth getting quotes from a number of garages so shop around online - http://www.labourrates.co.uk/ will show you the labour charges in your area.
6. Pay less for parking
There are few things more frustrating than paying for parking and according to Direct Line parking costs have increased by 40% since 2000. Look for non-charging parking zones where possible but park carefully to avoid fines. Otherwise, shop around for the cheapest car parks around the country at http://www.youcanpark.com/. You can even hire someone else's car parking space to avoid expensive city centre car parks at http://www.yourparkingspace.co.uk/.
7. Stay within the speed limit
Speeding is not only dangerous, it's costly too. A fine for one speeding offence will set you back £60 and earn you three points on your licence. Two speeding offences can also increase your car insurance costs by around 25% - with some insurers, such as Endsleigh, even increasing premiums by 74% for repeat offenders.
However, there is an added incentive to stick to the speed limit - it can also help with fuel efficiency. Driving at 70mph consumes around 25% more fuel than driving at 50mph. When legal, 56mph is the optimum speed to reduce fuel consumption in most vehicles.
8. Turn off the air-conditioning
When possible drive with the windows up to reduce drag and optimise fuel efficiency - however, when it gets hot you should open a window before turning to your air-conditioning. Air-conditioning typically uses around 10% more fuel on average depending on the vehicle. However, you should still turn on your air-conditioning at least once a week to avoid expensive repairs - leaving them unused allows bacteria to breed and replacements cost an average of £555.
9. Choose your vehicle carefully
If you're in the market for a new car, consider all of the motoring costs and not just the retail price. Look at the car's fuel efficiency and its residual value. A car that holds its residual value well is normally worth around 50% of its original price after three years. On occasions this can make car leasing a more cost-effective option, particularly if you are interested in a luxury vehicle.
Check to see which tax band the car fits into - owners of cars that emit less than 100g per km of CO2 and fit into vehicle excise duty (VED) band A are not charged any road tax. By contrast, if you drive a vehicle that emits more than 255g per km you will be charged £400.
And consider buying a second-hand vehicle. Not only will it be cheaper but the value won't depreciate as quickly as that of a new car. Shop around and compare prices online before you buy - our new cars section contains many links to competitive deals and our car reviews section can help you find a vehicle that's right for you.
10. Think about when you buy
It's not just what you buy, when you buy is also important. March and September, when new car registrations are introduced, are usually the worst times to buy as the market is competitive. However, if you buy in February or August - the preceding months - you could find better offers as dealerships look to move excess stock. December is another good time to buy as few people shop for cars due to Christmas commitments but many dealers have end of year targets to hit and may be willing to offer lower prices. Always negotiate on the price and look for incentives such as manufacturers offering rebates on slow-moving inventory. Your dealer may not always offer these to you, so do your research by contacting the manufacturers directly. If you're feeling really brave why not ask if your dealer will cover the cost of insurance, tax or fuel for you for a set period - you never know what you might get, if you ask.
Have your say: Do you have any other tips which can help offset rising fuel bills or have you already done some of the things mentioned above and noticed a reduction in your motoring costs? Visit our forum and let us, and other members, know.
Disclaimer: Please note that any rates or deals mentioned in this article were available at the time of writing.
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