Petrol prices fell in October but rises are looming

But the good news is likely to end there as price rises are looming large due to the oil price going above $60 a barrel for the first time in more than two years.

RAC Fuel Watch data for October shows a litre of unleaded went down from 118.84p at the beginning of the month to 118.17p by the close – a fall of 0.67p. Diesel, however, rose for the fourth month in a row, going up 0.59p from 120.21p to 120.80p a litre.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “At the start of October there was a 6p saving in the wholesale price of unleaded which retailers eventually passed on to motorists in pump price reductions. This month, however, the situation is reversed and the petrol wholesale price has gone up by 4p.

“Inevitably, this increase will be passed on to motorists on the forecourt far more quickly than the cuts were made last month, but that is unfortunately the nature of ‘big’ fuel retailing: pass on wholesale rises quickly and cling on to savings for as long as possible.”

The RAC also wants the Chancellor not to increase fuel duty in this month’s budget.