PETROL prices in the UK are going up as experts urged Brits to buy fuel before costs go up further with “heightened tensions” in the world causing a spike in oil prices.
Average petrol prices at pumps have ticked up in each of the last two weeks in the UK after a consistent fall since mid-December.
It is now an average of 131.71p per litre – up from 131.46p on Feb 9th.
Experts said the uptick in petrol prices was due to global volatility, with Brent crude climbing above $71 per barrel – the highest since July 2025 – due to heightened tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Donald Trump’s tariffs are also causing waves across the world, they said.
And if there is a major supply disruption, such as direct military action involving the US and Iran or a blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, then prices could spike further.
But it’s still far below the peak of petrol prices in July 2022 when it reached 191.55p following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
It is wise to fill up now
Tony Redondo, Founder at Newquay-based Cosmos Currency Exchange, urged Brits to fill up while they can as prices at the pump will no doubt rise further.
He added: “The recent rise to 131.71p per litre signals a definitive pause in the downward trend UK drivers enjoyed earlier this year. This uptick is primarily driven by global volatility, with Brent crude climbing above $71 per barrel – the highest since July 2025 – due to heightened tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
“Domestically, while the 5p fuel duty cut remains in place until September 2026, retailers are rapidly passing these wholesale increases to the pumps. Barring a major supply disruption, such as direct military action involving the US and Iran or a blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, prices are expected to settle between 133p and 135p in the short term.
“While we aren’t approaching the 191p record highs of 2022, the price ‘floor’ has likely been reached. It is wise to fill up now if you find a station near the current average, as retail prices typically rise much faster than they fall.”
Samuel Mather-Holgate, Managing Director & IFA at Swindon-based Mather and Murray Financial, says we could see up to £2 per litre in the UK by the end of the summer.
He continued: “Donald Trump’s tariffs really are felt across the globe, even if indirectly, in petrol prices. Increasing uncertainty on the world stage pushed up the price of the commodity that is still the engine juice of the world.
“With tariffs, global political uncertainty in the Middle East and the problem of Venezuela, it’s anyone’s guess how much crude might go up. It’s not unthinkable that we could see up to £2 per litre in the UK by the end of the summer.”
This uptick is primarily driven by global volatility
Steven Greenall, Advisor at Rayleigh-based Protect & Lend, said further geopolitical tension worldwide could lead to higher prices.
He added: “With oil up over 8% on the exchanges over the last month it’s unsurprising petrol is ticking up at the pumps.
“Tension rising in the Middle East and potential threats to shipping through the Straits of Hormuz are causing some jitters. If further conflict breaks out expect further upward pressure but I’d expect it to be temporary.”
Photo by Hans Eiskonen on Unsplash.
