If you have ever searched for fuel prices and noticed a nearby petrol station missing from comparison sites, you are not alone. It is something many drivers spot sooner or later, particularly outside major towns.
In most cases, it is not a data problem at all.
Not every station publishes prices
At present, not all UK petrol stations are required to publish their fuel prices digitally.
Larger retailers and supermarket chains tend to do so because they already operate centralised pricing systems. Smaller independent stations often do not, especially if they run only one or two sites.
Older technology still matters
Many independent forecourts use older point of sale systems that were never designed to share pricing data externally.
Upgrading those systems can be costly, and for operators with a loyal local customer base, it is not always a priority.
Branding does not always tell the full story
Some petrol stations carry a well known brand but are independently owned and priced.
In these cases, the brand may not receive pricing data, and the individual operator may choose not to publish prices at all.
Will this improve in the future?
The Government Fuel Finder scheme is designed to improve transparency, but it will not guarantee complete coverage.
Some smaller and rural stations are still likely to remain outside publicly available data feeds.