Did you know you could buy petrol in the UK for 35p a litre??
74 Comments | Add Comment | Blog entry posted 23rd May, 2007
Sounds more like it doesn’t it? Petrol at nearly a third of what most of us currently pay at the pumps. Well it is possible, that is if you don’t pay the tax.
To benefit from this rockbottom price you have to be part of the Motor Vehicle Protection Association (MVPA) based at the Auld Brig Filling Station in the hills on rural Scotland. Membership costs £100 and paid up members are entitled to up to 50 litres of discount petrol each week. The MVPA has been set up by James McDonald who claims to be developing an eco friendly emissions device for vehicles which will then be tested by members. Although the device has not yet been seen or fitted to a vehicle.
It seems he may have found a bit of a loophole in the law because if the fuel he imports is used for ‘scientific research’ Mr McDonald says that he can claim back the tax paid. According to an EU directive, tax relief does exist when fuel is used in such research but it should not then be sold for use on the road. He is waiting to see if the tax will be refunded to him and is operating at a loss at the moment but if he reaches his goal of 16,000 members to the MVPA he could make a decent profit from the tax claimed back from the treasury.
Currently 900 people have become members of the MVPA and one happy customer has said that her weekly fuel bill has dropped from £60 a week to just £17.50. Another member has calculated that he will save approximately £1000 a year with this low ‘tax free’ fuel price. It just goes to show how much the tax on fuel accounts to and how much we could save if fuel duty was significantly reduced.
Would you be keen to pay up to join the Motor Vehicle Protection Association in order to purchase tax free priced fuel?
UPDATE 25th May 07
It appears that Customs and Revenue have caught up with the MVPA scheme and the filling station was raided on 22nd May. The story was on the front on the Wee Country News on Tuesday although no information has been posted on the website about this story.
Replies to Did you know you could buy petrol in the UK for 35p a litre??
David Williams July 31, 2007
Regarding the earlier comments calling for action on fuel prices. I was appalled by the lack of active public support at the 2 previous fuel demos. As far as I am aware I was the only ordinary member of the public who attended these demo's at Milford Haven. While there was vocal support and some food supplied the general public would not make the effort to stand with the rest of us and the demo's only folded due to lack of a general support.
The first demo started on the first day of my weeks holiday and I joined the first night and left when ended a week later. I slept in my car for a week! I also was with them for the whole of the second. The sacrifice I witnessed from the lorry drivers was incredible. Remember most are self employed and a week out of business loss them not only a weeks earnings but contacts which affected future earnings.
I do not think the lorry drivers will organise another but may join one if led by general public. After all why should they make huge sacrifices that benefit people who cannot make an effort themselves.
I realise it is not practical to expect people to do the same as me but if everyone had made an effort to spend as much time as possible at these demo's we would have won.
The demo's at Milford were peaceable and ignoring the discomfort were extremely good natured and enjoyable, lorry drivers have a good sense of humour.
I wish good luck to anyone organising another and will attend only if there are a good number of general public attending and not leaving it to one group to make all the effort while sitting at home watching TV with their feet up ( while applauding efforts being made by others for their benefit)
Steve July 30, 2007
it would be great to have a scheme for business users. each goverment ignores the basic damage to employment of high fuel tax. while in the states i stopped to fuel up from just under a qtr of a tank. after what seemed like two mins on the trigger it stopped i thought the pump was broken but it seemed $15.00 was enougth for this avenis style car.
just a note i grew up believing the road fund tax was for road improvements and maintaining roads when did fuel tax replace this.
Jill July 28, 2007
It just shows what a crook that Labour Government is, just ripping off inocent people and trying to feed the world by letting this illegal immgrats in every day. Are they trying to crack down the country?
Jim July 25, 2007
OMFG Learjet, will you sort out your punctuation. Reading your posts are doing my tits in.
James Moran July 6, 2007
Biodiesel:
I'd like to take the chance to address an undersight in regards to 'Biodiesel'. Currently the biggest problem is a lot of the modern direct injection viechles will not run correctly & any gains are lost in poor operating conditions of the engine. Due to issues with viscosity often sustained biodiesel running causes damage to the engine & exhaust system.
Another minor issue is the quality of the product with many home enthusiasts creating the product themself. I think half the problem is organisations spend so much time promoting the product the omit data which is relevant.
From current experience I have had 4 friends try out the product & after a couple of weeks of poor performance, a visit to their local garage and a bill decided to just leave it.
Learjet July 6, 2007
The Crude Oil Markets, is split into three sections. Future's, Contract, and Spot Market's. Trying to adapt the price of Oil to the Pump Price, in many cases is difficult, and confusing.
The Product Market's basically control the Pump Price. Over the past few months, Petrol has outstripped Diesel in regard to price gain. Mainly brought about by high worldwide demand for Petrol, and less demand for Diesel.
This trend will start to reverse as winter approaches, especially in the UK.
Yesterday, 5th July Spot Crude closed at $75.88/Bbl in NW Europe.
On the Products Market, Petrol lost ground, and Diesel gained. Simple Supply and Demand, added to Refinery capability.
Another factor, keeping Pump Prices stable at the moment is the exchange rate, Pound against the Dollar. If the Pound declines, you will notice a sharp increase in both Fuels.
Easy July 6, 2007
What I'de like to know is WHY AS PETROL SHOT UP IN PRICE. And Diesel is practically the SAME price as BEFORE oil went up to $70 a barrel.
Adam Pearsdon July 5, 2007
wheres our fuel strike then?
i know what we can do, we can all moan about the price and say we are going to do something for about a month or so and then forget all about it and end up paying over a pound a litre very soon.
Steve July 4, 2007
With reference to the comment about the MVPA and: "The garage was rumoured to have had full tanks of fuel, duty paid so he was able to sell this for 35p per litre and when this ran out he made all sorts of excuses to MEMBERS".
I highly doubt that given that the petrol tanks would have been made inactive when it was demolished and rebuilt.
The pumps were re-installed after the new filling station/garage was built and pinacle took it over. These pumps weren't even finished when pinacle moved out so my guess is those were newly filled by the current occupant.
Considering he was selling fuel at that price for about 5 months and the old tanks would only hold enough fuel for an average fortnight if you're lucky I think you can rule that rumour out.
Leigh Mattan July 1, 2007
I recently went on holiday to Jamaica,I was getting $120.00 for my British pound,Their petrol their was costing $120.00 per gallon.Do I need to go on.Just goes to show how intelligent we are here,These people here will pay for anything if their held to ransom.
Leigh Mattan July 1, 2007
I recently went on holiday to Jamaica,I was getting $120.00 for my British pound,Their petrol their was costing $120.00 per gallon.Do I need to go on.Just goes to show how intelligent we are here,These people here will pay for anything if their held to ransom.
Learjet June 22, 2007
Sounds, like the old "Come into my parlour, said the Spider to the Fly" story.
The aforementioned perbetrator of the MVPA, has already pocketed over £100,000, for very little outlay of his own.
The "cheap" fuel is the carrot, to attract further member's to the scheme.
Some member's, will receive their "cheap" fuel, but that's to give credibilty to the scheme, and keep it running. A classic form of scam.
Ron Conlin June 20, 2007
MVPA 's promise of fuel at 35p per litre was a simple way to entice people to part with their hard earned cash to line the pocket of a convicted fraudster. This was to me just an easy way to turn 16,000 members £100 into £1,6 million hard cash to enable him to buy a garage with no outlay to himself. The garage was rumoured to have had full tanks of fuel, duty paid so he was able to sell this for 35p per litre and when this ran out he made all sorts of excuses to MEMBERS that the Bank Account had been frozen, then because of the Wee County new article the staff were traumatised and he had to give them the weekend off, since then it has been one excuse after another. How many more excuses is he going to come up with. Buyer Beware.
If you have paid your £100 and have not recieved your certificate contact Trading Standards for advice on how to get your membership fee back. If you continue to draw fuel from this garage you will have to spend thousands of pounds to recoupe your £100 Membership fee.!!!!!!
Vistacat June 19, 2007
All was going so well until these 'do gooders' had to make enough noise that the english government authorities got to hear of it. Obviously they were not going to allow ordinary citizens enjoy paying a decent price for fuel, but stick their revenue earning tax on it thereby spoiling the best thing thats happened for a good while.
Best of luck to the guy who runs 'the filling station' The government however need to be voted out ASAP. Lets get our independance from these stinking capitalist bas***ds who have the audacity to call themselves 'Labour'
Steven June 18, 2007
MVPA are now charging a 10p reduction on a litre so that is about 88p still no fuel in there latest story is it will be in on 19/06/07 and they are going to fight the duty charge in court and i reckon using the members money they have paid there are a lot of people on the list that paid £100 waited 4 weeks for the membership start date and have not recieved a drop of fuel
Learjet June 18, 2007
It all depends, on how the MVPA was registered with HMRC, in regard to VAT, and Import Duty Refunds.
The legality of the business, will depend on its "intent" to do business under present rules, i.e. Scientific Research.
The frozen bank account is not unusual in these cases. HMRC will not allow a "dubious" form of business to proceed, and incurr losses to the general public. It may well take a "ruling" on the subject.
Dh June 18, 2007
The Wee County news story had to be retracted because the story was innacurate and a retraction was printed on the front page of the next week's paper. Since then, the bank (I believe Alliance and Leicester) have not been able to carry out any transactions on the MVPA account even though there apparently are plenty of funds. No one can apparantly understand why? People are beginning to suspect dirty tricks from high up as they can do nothing about this scheme.
They are suuposed to be getting fuel Monday pm (18th) and will be charging a slight increase (TBC) due to a letter from HMRC.
Interesting - what do you think???
Tony Graham June 17, 2007
MVPA is supposed to be getting their fuel again on Monday June 18th. My 28 day wait was over on Friday and i shall be calling them tomorrow to see what the sketch is. Intend on going up and filling my tank.
The voicemail message from the garage says that the price will rise slightly due to intervention from C&E. We'll see.
Learjet June 15, 2007
In the West Midlands, Asda is offering 2p/litre discount on fuel, if you use your "Asda Credit Card" to pay for Fuel. No time limit is mentioned.
Along with Tesco and Lloyds TSB, the discounts being offered need close inspection. It's usually a sign, Fuel Prices are about to move upward rather than downward.
Lloyds offer runs out, the day before, the Fuel Import Duty is set to rise to 50.35p/litre plus Vat.
Ray Smith June 14, 2007
Lloyds TSB are giving one per cent cashback on your motor fuel purchases from June 1st to Sept 30th by paying with your Lloyd TSB MasterCard.
Alistair Leighton June 14, 2007
From Monday 25th June, Tesco will be doing their national promotion of 5p off a litre of fuel when you spend over £50 instore. So if you shop at Tesco you should be able to save a bit of money on fuel over the summer. Think it will be running for at least 4 weeks this time.
Learjet June 12, 2007
The high Fuel Taxes in the UK, are a major problem in Retail Fuel Prices.
At the moment they average 65% of the pump price, for Petrol and Diesel.
The European Union has approached the UK Government, in recent years, for a General Fuel Tax across its members. This would reduce pump prices.
So far, the UK Government has refused to participate in such a plan.
With "enviromental" groups screaming for more tax or charges, the prospect of lower prices seem slim.
The Fuel Import Duty, is set to rise again in October 2007.
It would seem Fuel Duty/Vat are viewed as a "nice little earner" by the present Government.
David Carter June 12, 2007
I have just got back from a touring holiday in Northern Spain [Castile] & paid 93 Euros a litre for BP Ultimate Diesel. Someone in the Uk is ripping us of. No not someone; lots of people!
Morgonevans June 12, 2007
Why is the tax so high on fuel anyway ?
Will they not just move the tax somewhere else anyway ?
Who started the last stand against fuel prices?
Morgon Evans June 12, 2007
So how do we begin this course of action then ?
Set a date and spread the word ! Use the Internet to spread the date via Emails, You tube, forums etc.
Let's sort this once and for all, are we not British ? We stand and fight and do not just roll over. Too long has the approach of moan in a queue been used.
Use our better quality of uniting and standing for what we believe in !!
Thomas Duthie June 8, 2007
the reason deisel is more expensive is because of the amount of duty added to it by the government. Because most folks buy deisel cars, more deisel is bought which means if its duty didnt increse the revenue from road fuels would decline. The government need this revenue to pay for missiles and wars and their subsidised bars in the parliaments. Im hoping that the snp will eventually bring independence for scotland so we can decide our own fuel revenue prices, after all, they did say we wouldnt need a nuclear deterant to pay for. Plus, i hope everyone doesnt fall for the old, "north sea oil stocks are dwindeling" theres hunners of oil left there! Another fuel strike would be great, I took my place standing with the truckers etc.. at grangemouth refinery last time, the cops even gave us sandwitches etc.. Finaly, the mvpa, which i was a member of, has shut this week but the a4 paper on the pumps reckons they might have fuel again by next thurdsay, not that im holding my breath. Incidently they were still taking memberships, i was talking to a gentleman last week who was due to get his 1st fill this week, so looks like he might be £100 out of pocket. I think every one in strilingshire who joined, did so with the realisation that it might not last long, everybody you talk to told you, "that Jim McDonald is an ex crim not to be trusted!" I cant fault the guy on this, for 3 months i got ten gallons a week at £1.59 a gallon, which incidently would be about $3.20 odd in the US. The gouvernment cetrainly knew what they were up to when the switched the way fuel was priced from gallons (4.54 litres) to litres in the early 90's, this is where our fuel problems started. Lets get striking!!!
Gareth Jones June 8, 2007
Why is Diesel more expensive in the UK than petrol? Up to about 10 years ago diesel was significantly cheaper than petrol and still is in most European coutries. We have just returned from Ireland where we were getting diesel at around 1EUR Litre (68p), unleaded is around 1.14EUR (77p)
Jim Coonty June 8, 2007
RIP MVPA - no fuel and it's now shut.
Seems like there won't be any more smiles from members.
Learjet June 6, 2007
Over the past few weeks, on the Products Market, Petrol has accelerated in price, a lot faster than Diesel. Brought about by worldwide demand.
Consequently, Diesel became cheaper than Petrol, hence the price at the pumps, being even or below Petrol. Both prices have been rising, but Diesel at the slower rate.
However, yesterday on the Products Market, this trend started to reverse itself.
Paul Ponchaud June 5, 2007
Comment 18,19 and 20 are exactly right!!, this situation is a joke! Whats even more annoying is a lot of places are doing diesel for less the petrol!! Why? Did I miss some reason for that? I thought diesel was always more than petrol (2p+ltr diff)
This is a major p**s take- Its time to act......
Stuart Cakebread June 5, 2007
Im up for that........il bring me boeing 737 down and dump it in the middle of Leeds City Centre
Al Bundy June 5, 2007
It's time we stood up for ourselves again. Petrol is averaging 97.9p a litre in most major cities in the country. That's higher than what brought on the original fuel strikes.
It's time to make a stand!
Noel Hanna June 4, 2007
we need another fuel strike.come on you farmers and tanker drivers.and this time let's not stop until the government falls, no matter how long it takes or what difficulties we have getting to work.
Stuart Cakebread June 2, 2007
I work for a popular airline, we measure fuel by the TONNE and cost by the THOUSAND......I windge at £53 a tank for my Focus, wanna see their fuel bill
Nick June 1, 2007
I recall that in the UK and US, people who tried to use their own kitchen oil or other products to make bio-diesel, had visits from the local IRS among others. It's something I expect to become more popular as prices rise and people look to other ways of filling the tank without breaking the bank. Once the gov't cottons on to it, then they'll switch over to making it legal and putting a nice tax on it to ensure revenue payments still, which makes sense.
Course, when I say "drive less", I mean with respect to non-mandatory travel rather than work essential driving. A salesman, for instance, cannot cut down anymore once he's got a highly fuel-efficient car of a moderate size, since there's so many kilometres he needs to do for his job, same with logistics, which is our largest industry.
I anticipate the sort of cutting down on other areas of expenses as we've seen in the US lately with fuel there skyrocketing in price as light-sweet runs dry and refinery capacity is lacking. Wal*Mart has seen sales plummet as have other retailers, because people _need_ to drive far further than here in Europe and most people have large, gas guzzling motors thanks to years of cheap gas being seen as an American birthright. Somewhere down the line, people will cut back to the point that the economy is hurt anyway, regardless of driving capability, and so prices may come down then as recession looms. This may be $4 a gallon, or over $5. A good hurricane or further tension in the Middle-East would practically ensure that. It would help if the most wasteful use of land on Earth - suburbia - wasn't so common and public transport wasn't so lacking.
Jamie June 1, 2007
The good thing about most Biodiesel is that it is produced from used cooking oil, which is a by product of not only the fast food industry, but hotels and even the poshest of restaurants too, not to mention domestic users. In short, it is simply recycling a by-product which would normally be disposed of elsewhere. So far from taking out of the foodchain by using virgin material, it is actually recycling an existing byproduct.
Of course, there is never going to be enough frying going on to fuel every diesel engine, however as a nation of fast food eaters and given the ever growing number of hotels and eateries in the towns and cities, it will fuel a reasonable percentage, and that is a lot of road miles given an average of 40 - 55 mpg.
Not everybody will switch to a cheaper alternative fuel, (as was found out with LPG) however if the same percentage switch from fossil diesel to Biodiesel as switched from petrol to LPG, then there should be more than enough used cooking oil to go around. :o)
Filling up an average family diesel car with Biodiesel will save between £10 - £14 per tank, even an average yearly mileage these savings come into their own.
Its all very well to state 'Drive Less', I would love to work from home, are you going to convince my boss that it is viable??? - Say I was a builder what are you going to do, bring your house to me??, or pick me, my cement mixer and 2 tons of bricks up on your bike??
Crawford May 31, 2007
The Wee County News story was wrong concerning the raid on the petrol station. It had nothing to do with the cheap petrol.
I joined over a month ago and and my membership number is over 1000. I understand that there are now over 1200 members.
Its just great getting petrol at these prices. Got 30 litres and then 20 litres last week at £10.50 and £7.
Long may it continue. Everyone comes away from the place with a big smile.
It wont be the same now when you visit Florida on holiday and fill up the tank. Only difference there its about 35F warmer
Nick May 31, 2007
I wouldn't go down the bio-diesel/ethanol route if I were you. There's a reason food prices are shooting through the roof and if we converted to ethanol, you'd need billions just to replace the petroleum distribution network since the pipes and tanks are more easily corroded by bio-fuels than regular petroleum or diesel.
Not only that, it's not even carbon neutral in the end when you factor in the little issue of mechanised agriculture and industrial insecticides and fertilisers coming from fossil fuels too. Not that this matters, since, for America at least, all their arable land converted to corn, rapeseed or soybean would feed barely a quarter of their daily gasoline usage (bio-fuels have lower energy content too, so you know).
Bio-fuels are one massive boondoggle that we're going to regret. Want cheaper fuel prices? Drive less. Oil peaking and the utter waste that is the hydrogen economy or bio-fuel one means there are no alternatives bar electric, and that means we need a lot more nuclear fast.
Jamie May 31, 2007
Cheaper fuels already exist and are perfectly legal, at least for Diesel drivers. Its called Biodiesel, and has been around for quite a while, and costs as little as 75p per litre duty paid from producers or as little as 48p per litre if you make it yourself. If the duty on this fuel was reduced further or abolished altogether (as in some parts of europe) it would be even cheaper.
It would be even more known and used, if it was more widely available and advertised, yet despite constant hypes regarding global warming, absolutely nothing is being done and little invested in this greener alternative fuel which can be used in most popular diesel engines without modification, or blended with regular diesel in models not yet 100% compatible. But how many forecourts near you offer this fuel??.
Whether you want to save money or help the environment then this would be the better solution. Next time a political group darkens your doorway, ask them just how much they are going to invest on these alternative fuels!.
Chris May 30, 2007
If you drive a Diesel it might be worth buying your fuel from france. I was over there yesterday and its priced at around 63p a litre. As far as I'm aware its not illegal to bring back a small tanker of diesel (enough for a year) so long as its for your own use. I could be wrong though..
Ian May 28, 2007
Thats very true, and even the branded petrol stations make only 1-2p proffit on the sale of petrol, most of the proffit comes from shop sales. And as Learjet says, its the old law of supply and demand.
Learjet May 28, 2007
The major Supermarket's, don't really need you to buy their fuel. It's just a marketing tool, the store itself is the moneymaker.
Most sell their fuel at breakeven point or below. Based mainly on "accounting procedure's" or commonly known as "creative accounting".
At the moment the "need" for fuel, is greater than the price. Until that changes, nor will the price.
Ian May 27, 2007
Well thats the UK for you we quiatly moan but put up with it, its called the British spirit. Pitty Germany didnt win the war.
Stuart May 27, 2007
If everyone was to stop buying from supermarkets until they bring down their prices, the motorist could benefit as this would start a price war, as supermarkets need the motorist to buy theirfuel. At the moment it seems the general motorist dose'nt seem to be bothered about the fuel price, as they moan and groan but do not take any action.Wold'nt happen in france.
Learjet May 26, 2007
Over the past week, Spot Crude in NW Europe has averaged $70.74/Bbl.
On the Products Market, Petrol averaged 29.28p/litre. Diesel averaged 27.36p/litre. Both are "raw" prices, no additives or delivery to stations.
With prices at these levels, bringing the country to a standstill. Wouldn't make much difference really, there are too many buyer's out there.
Pump Prices, in many places in the USA, are headed toward $4.00/Gal.
American's are up in arms, but still paying the price.
Pump Prices, in the UK will continue to climb, but maybe at a slower rate.
Paul Ponchaud May 25, 2007
Anyone noticed how much of a joke the current prices are again? 97.9 at my local station for u/l and the diesel is just as stupid!! Oil @ $70+ per barrel again!!, how much longer are we gonna put up with this? Anyone up for bringing the country to a stand still until we get it to 80p a litre? Just a thought.....
Learjet May 25, 2007
Plug "Wee County News" into your search engine, this will take you to their website. The article is not included on the website. This may be for legal reasons.
However, it is the lead article on the papers front page, under the heading "Customs swoop on filling station".
Customs and Revenue, are a hard bunch to beat, at the best of times.
Alan Turner May 25, 2007
If as you say the scheme is a fraudulent one, please post where one can find the article of it. I have had a look for the article and cannot find any mention of it.
James Mcneebs May 24, 2007
The scheme is run by a convicted fraudster and the premises was raided by Customs and Police on Tuesday 22nd May2007 - Wee County News from this week carries the story.
Joanna Luscombe-whyte May 24, 2007
Love the article, but not sure it isn't a "May Fool". I would not be prepared to invest £100 in such a scheme - as a very active Scots loving o.a.p. with limited income - but would happily been part of "research system". Not sure how u would get the petrol at such a price - be on a Scottish island?!!
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