Petrol and diesel owners told to never fill up car shortly after 5pm

Petrol and diesel owners have been told not to fill up their cars after 5pm on Monday for one crucial reason. Gordon Wallis, motoring expert from Your NRG explained that motorists should dodge midday and 5pm when the roads are likely to be their busiest.

The expert stressed that queues can “quickly form” after work as those heading home dive into fuel stations. Alongside lunchtime, this makes 5pm one of the worst times to visit a fuel pump, with road users told to stay away.

Gordon said: “It's a good idea to fill up your gas tank during late evenings or early mornings because fewer people buy fuel, so the prices are lower. Drivers should try to avoid filling up during midday or after 5pm when most people are done with work, as queues can quickly form."

According to RAC Fuel Watch, petrol prices have continued to slowly rise in recent weeks, with the UK average now sitting at 135,55p per litre. This is up on the 134.64p recorded back in September and higher than 132.08p back in June.

Diesel fees are also up with rates 1p higher than September at a UK average of 143,38 pene per litre. Back in July, diesel fees were as affordable as 134.17p per litre, highlighting a staggering rise in the past couple of months,

Rebecca Bebbington, personal finance expert at NetVoucherCodes stressed that petrol prices “can fluctuate throughout the day”. As part of this, she said that “prices are typically lower during off-peak hours” when everyone else is off the road.

She explained that road users should try and fill up their tank early in the morning or late at night to enjoy the best prices. Money Saving Expert founder Martin Lewis, however, scrutinised the actual savings.

The finance guru explained that turning up to the fuel pumps late at night could put a matter of pennies back in drivers' pockets.

Martin said: “Talk of filling up at night getting you more is a slight urban myth, as the difference is minuscule – pennies at best. Fuel pumps are calibrated by volume, so fill up at night when it's colder and you get a tiny, tiny bit extra.”