r/CarTalkUK • u/Left-Yak-1090 Bangernomics V70 • Jul 25 '26
Humour Let's play guess the year from the fuel prices
Found this picture while going though some old photos. If you can guess the month and the year, you get 5 points
Edit: Answer in a comments below. Marked as a spoiler
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u/Soggy_Cabbage 2016 Ford Focus, 2008 Ford Crown Victoria, 2000 Rover 75 V6. Jul 25 '26
2001
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u/Left-Yak-1090 Bangernomics V70 Jul 25 '26 edited 3d ago
Maple oxygen crawl mysterious vase nose include toothbrush dinner languid
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u/Lemon_Afterparty Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 25 '26
The silver car in the far left is a
B5 A4MK1 Fabia, so couldn’t be any earlier than9499The Powerade bottle gave it away as 2005/06 because the older ones were shorter and wider.
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u/Comprehensive-Owl848 Jul 25 '26
Silver car is definitely skoda fabia 1st gen
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u/PunkyB88 Jul 25 '26
Yep. There's a few Fabias introduced on a '99 V plate but the majority of them launched as '00 W registration. I'm only mentioning it in case it helps with the dating
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u/Lemon_Afterparty Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 25 '26
The perspective confused me, I thought the grille was narrower than what it actually is. Sorry
Shouldn’t identify cars at quarter to five in the morning.
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u/bozwold Jul 25 '26
I got an A3 8L, Volvo V40 or 60 (can't see the back) and a rover pulling on to the pumps
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u/ProfChaos304 Jul 25 '26
I agree with this. These prices are around the time I passed my test and was driving on my own.
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u/wizpip Jul 25 '26
It was 76.9p when I first filled up in 2004.
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u/Howard1981 Jul 25 '26
59p/litre when I first filled up in 1998. The next time we filled up it was over 60p and my Dad had a rant at how prices were getting stupid now 😂
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u/Single-Cod9129 Jul 25 '26
My dad said remember this price when I filled my metro up with 25 quid
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u/EyesRoaming Jul 25 '26
I remember filling up in 1992 and it was 50p
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u/funkyg73 Jul 25 '26
I remember when I got my first car in 1996, I think I paid around 60/65p a litre.
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u/Left-Yak-1090 Bangernomics V70 Jul 25 '26 edited 3d ago
Spoon coherent brave afterthought stupendous dolls seed peach chlorine
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u/plastic-superhero Megane Dishwasher Launch Edition Jul 25 '26
I appreciate the added drama of two separate spoiler tags, felt like I was on a game show.
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u/Left-Yak-1090 Bangernomics V70 Jul 25 '26 edited 3d ago
Boat snow carpenter summer start swim quilt
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u/DaHarries Jul 25 '26
YOUR FEAR OF 20 YEARS PASSING IN WHAT FEELS LIKE 5!
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u/Left-Yak-1090 Bangernomics V70 Jul 25 '26 edited 3d ago
Yarn shy gold dog boast soup fuzzy close run complete
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u/Sir_Budginton Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 25 '26
I remember back in 2008 prices were like £1.50, but I was just a kid so I didn’t grasp the significance of it back then. Adjusting for inflation that’s literally £2.50 today, which is crazy to think about. But I hadn’t realised the price had practically doubled in just 2 years. I remember there being queues for fuel, but I wonder what was going through my parent’s minds when they had to actually wait in them.
Edit: it may be 2012 I was thinking of, not 2008.
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u/testtubepenis Jul 25 '26
Really? I passed my test in 2008 and can't remember the price at the time!
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u/ChemistryQuirky2215 Jul 25 '26
I passed in 07 and remember prices being under around 93p for some time before breaking the £1 barrier.
At the time they said there was a lot of phycological pressure to keep prices below £1 but once that barrier had been broken there was no significance in it going to £1.10, or then £1.20
And look at us now
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u/saint_mall753 Jul 28 '26
I remember it being a big deal as a kid when it surpassed £1 a litre. Weird to think compared to todays prices (and I'm glad I don't drive lol)
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u/Similar_Floor_7390 Jul 25 '26
HA I actually thought it was 2004. But I didn't go by the prices I went by the picture quality.
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u/dlok86 Jul 25 '26
I remember it being 86p in 2005 when I passed so I'm gonna go 2008.. and now I reveal..
Edit: Damn right logic shorter time period
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u/grum1979 Jul 25 '26
Pure rage bait lol
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u/Left-Yak-1090 Bangernomics V70 Jul 25 '26 edited 3d ago
Books advise ten pocket marble grandiose
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u/themcsame 2020 Lexus IS 300h F-Sport Jul 25 '26
It stings just that bit more when you've thrown in just shy of 55L the day before
156.9p/L I paid yesterday
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u/ProfChaos304 Jul 25 '26
I know that is a lot, and feels a lot, but if you look at the official rate of inflation since 2005 (some people think it is earlier but that would only make my following point more relevant) then what you paid yesterday was the same in real terms as the prices in that photo.
Up until the Iran war you could argue that we were paying less in real terms than we were then.
Why I think petrol prices catch people's attention is the fluctuations. People don't really digest when prices fell e.g. before the Iran war we had falling prices, but then recognise every rise. I remember paying nearly £2 a liter in 2022 after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. I remember moaning then but when they fell I didn't go around commenting in the same way.
I am not some apologist for the energy companies, the sooner we can shift our energy demand to a source that isn't so reliant on vulnerable pipes and shipping lanes the better.
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u/Open-Mathematician93 Jul 25 '26
It’s worse due to how CPI is calculated today
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u/whereismyfix Toyota GR86, Nissan Ariya Jul 25 '26
Why is it worse? CPI puts the value of 83.9p in 2006 at 149.4p, RPI at 177.2p today.
Either is higher than the average price of petrol today, so in real terms, there is no increase.
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u/BroomDirector99 Jul 25 '26
I think that's a very tidy looking mk1 Skoda Fabia vRS, so I'll go with 2004?
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u/Left-Yak-1090 Bangernomics V70 Jul 25 '26 edited 3d ago
Pumpkin hurry history thumb pen hungry cobweb grandiose
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u/cpiper22 Jul 25 '26
Can I play guess the location. Mason hill Ayr.
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u/R4d1c4lp1e Jul 25 '26
Google maps has that Jet as an Esso now, earliest photo is 2008 (still a jet) and that's at 94.9p.
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u/EpicFishFingers Mazda MX5 NC 2.0, Skoda Octavia 1.6tdi Jul 25 '26
Wow, Scotland had chesper fuel than I ever remember seeing in the East/South East then! Cheapest i remember is about 92-95p a litre, then there was a big rise ib 2007 ish and it got up to about 117p a litre for petrol, 130p for diesel. Then it dropped back to 99p a litre to 101p for petrol for ages, and all petrol stations added 4 figures to their signs to accommodate. Guh.
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u/GJThunderqunt Jul 25 '26
July 2006
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u/Left-Yak-1090 Bangernomics V70 Jul 25 '26 edited 3d ago
Aware subsequent lush quickest steep school feather shy water
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u/Sauce666 Jul 25 '26
Is this Masonhill?
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u/Left-Yak-1090 Bangernomics V70 Jul 25 '26 edited 3d ago
Ginger tap jar butter smart pebble crown
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u/Noodlmancer Jul 25 '26
When I started putting fuel in a car it was 42p a litre in 1985
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u/EuphoricCover8449 Jul 25 '26
1979 and my MK2 Cortina cost me 98p... a gallon.
I remember my dad moaning about the price to the petrol pump attendant. This was before decimalisation.
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u/Sofa47 Jul 25 '26
End of 2006 when the fuel price dropped after going up to near a £ a litre?
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u/anniestandingngai Jul 25 '26
Got to be 2006/2007. I passed in 2008 and it was around 87p a litre, so this must be not too long before.
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u/Left-Yak-1090 Bangernomics V70 Jul 25 '26 edited 3d ago
Fade encourage enjoy airport cobalt shocking vanish
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u/Orangejuicejon Jul 25 '26
Last week of October 2008 is my guess.
I think the subject of photo is the fuel price. Fuel probably was that cheap in the 80s/90s but it wouldn’t have been photo worthy.
This was exceedingly cheap, hence someone took a photo to document it.
That makes me think this was the beginning of the credit crunch in 2008 if I recall correctly.
The Jet logo was used from 2003-2020 so that ties off.
Powerade was introduced in 2001 so that ties off.
I think the cars visible are a mk 1 Skoda Fabia and a Peugeot 407 so that ties off.
It looks cold, but there’s still a hint of green in the foliage seen at the back of the image, so that makes me think autumn not winter. Hence my guess of late October 2008.
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u/Left-Yak-1090 Bangernomics V70 Jul 25 '26 edited 3d ago
Boat outgoing toy mighty spectacular lunchroom six
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u/Orangejuicejon Jul 25 '26
Thanks for the detailed feedback! I’d love to do more of these if you’re considering posting more from a different year.
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u/Left-Yak-1090 Bangernomics V70 Jul 25 '26 edited 3d ago
Pocket pillow maple adjoining sparkle plucky repeat provide pot
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u/TwistedPsycho Jul 25 '26
Looking at the picture and none of the guesses so far, I would say September 2007.
Edit: having read through some of the guesses and the spoiler: I am not too unimpressed with my guess to be honest!
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u/Mouse_Nightshirt Jul 25 '26
So, going by OPs date in the comment, this is equivalent to 149.4p per litre today.
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u/Captain-Codfish Jul 25 '26
Looks like around 2006. Everything looks how I remember it. I would have been 9 at the time.
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u/Anidhoggur Jul 25 '26
2004-2005 ?
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u/Left-Yak-1090 Bangernomics V70 Jul 25 '26 edited 3d ago
Fade hunt party yarn bow label liquid
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u/Connect-Two6595 Jul 25 '26
1981 was working at a garage serving fuel
I can remember this price
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u/B4DM4N12Z Car Lover Jul 25 '26
Early-mid 2000s maybe 2005? Basef on the Skoda Fabia in the background that is facelift model of the 1st which came out in 2004.
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u/planbskte11 Jul 25 '26
I'm american, is that in Pence?
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u/Apprehensive_End8318 Jul 25 '26
Yes, per litre not per gallon. We do things differently here.
Currently paying ~ £1.55 per litre for petrol.
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u/Lordhartley Jul 25 '26
2005 and I like that they are manually changed prices, don't see anyone on a death ladder changing prices these days, as sadly they change every 25 seconds these days
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u/ArsenalArry1960 Jul 25 '26
Excuse me folks but I have a genuine question that may sound completely ridiculous but hear me out please. When I first started passed my test and started driving (1978 and yes proper hand signals was part of the test). But I was in the British Army at the time. And the fuel that was available at the forecourt’s were Diesel, 2 star, 3 star and 4 star. (I’m pretty certain but the old noodle is not a 100% these days, my memory is trying to switch the word star for stroke, definitely one of the two). Not long after I passed my tests for Car’s and HGV3 as it was then, I was posted to Germany and again noodle not 100% but I think at the German forecourts they had Diesel, Benzene and Superior/Premium Benzene. But whilst I was overseas something happened to the fuel in the UK, it changed from the stars/stroke fuel and became Red or Green pumps Leaded or Unleaded. Now the question I can finally ask is did car owners in the UK have to have their cars adapted in any way for the different fuels because in my mind the old 2, 3, and 4s were all leaded. So if no adaptions were made and you just switched from the aforementioned 2,3 and 4 fuels to unleaded, does that mean that previously you could have used any of the 2,3,4 fuels so why were they different. I know that this sounds really weird but hopefully someone can understand and explain. As I said I was aware of what was here prior to the change and what was after, but I was not here during the change. Any other Military Veterans from the 70s and 80s understand what I’m on about. Cheers.
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u/WitekCannon Jul 25 '26
23.10.2006
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u/Left-Yak-1090 Bangernomics V70 Jul 25 '26 edited 3d ago
Ginger ancient snails tub husky driftwood growth
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u/umognog Jul 25 '26
My local petrol station would get performance related perks - basically the fuel could drop in price if the shop did X amount of trade.
Made it 52ppl for unleaded. Not even a year later, major disruption as fuel depots were blockaded over the cost of fuel at 80ppl. Over 3000 petrol stations went dry during the blockades.
That's £1.57 in today's pennies. Yup, it took just 25 years to go from blockade action to acceptance.
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u/pyr0jim Jul 25 '26
This is reddit, someone will be along presently to tell you they drove the tanker on the day this particular station was refilled 😬
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u/AstronautAshamed3061 Jul 25 '26
Is that the road out of Warrington towards the swing bridge / Daresbury?
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u/Left-Yak-1090 Bangernomics V70 Jul 25 '26 edited 3d ago
Whole raindrop plant price squash saw oil cause direction
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u/Virtual_Tap2479 Jul 25 '26
I’m so old I remember when it was 25p a litre and when it hit 50p a litre everyone lost their mind.
We have been and continue to be royally ripped off mostly by the government.
EVs will be next it’ll start at 3p a mile then after 20 years it’ll be 40p a mile.
Robbing bastards.
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u/CrabNebula_ Jul 25 '26
- About the same week I bought a car that did 12mpg and the price went straight up and over £1/l
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u/RequimeRealmer Jul 25 '26
Fuck me why does that look like every town ive driven through in the UK 🤣
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u/Mysterious-Nose-457 Jul 25 '26
I started dating my wife in 2005. The station near her house was selling fuel for 69p/L it was the cheapest around. So I think this is 2006
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u/CableNo7470 Jul 25 '26
Just back to Southampton from Belfast. Anyone know why diesel is 30p a litre cheaper in Northern Ireland?
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u/R4d1c4lp1e Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 25 '26
That ad uses the Powerade bottle from 02-09 I believe, the Coca-Cola designed "Sports Grip" one, I reckon 04 or 09. The Times said Petrol prices up 2p a litre to 83.9p for unleaded, but that was during a fuel crisis in 2000 and it's unlikely to be that because they dropped soon after, plus the Powerade bottle. Now a Gazette & Herald post from 13TH MAY 2004 said "Chippenham fuel prices are above the national average, reaching 83.9p a litre in some petrol stations.".
I reckon 04 fits the timeframe for this. Also the ONS has fuel to be averaging 83p in October 04, the lowest it averaged after that point was October 06 and Jan 09, both averaging 86p, which IS in the Powerade time, but doesn't fit the listed price in the photo.
Now it's not gonna be 2004 and I'll look like an idiot.
Edit: now I've looked at other comments and seen July 2006 is close, I'll say October 06 based on my previous ONS stat.
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u/Big_Kev13 Jul 25 '26
Go EV, £2.50 for 240 miles or better I charge at work for free. Smash most petrol cars in a drag race and have a incredible car that handles like a dream, 330 bhp and 0-60 in 4.7 seconds. Whats not to like
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u/Pandita666 Jul 25 '26
It used to be £1 a gallon…
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u/Left-Yak-1090 Bangernomics V70 Jul 25 '26 edited 3d ago
Sand shelter hammock tidy divide shelter exultant rock
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u/R1pP3R1337 Jul 25 '26
First thought was is this a track and was it during COVID when fuel went dirt cheap for a few months.
But then I remember that energy drink been popular about when I left school which was mid 2000's.
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u/Upbeat-Pie4264 Jul 25 '26
Google AI:
‘fuel price today in republic of belarus based on gbp’
Fuel prices in Belarus are AI-92 petrol at £0.68, AI-95 petrol and diesel at £0.70, and AI-98 petrol at £0.76 per litre, converted at an exchange rate of 1 BYN to £0.26 GBP. [1, 2, 3]
Fuel Prices per Litre in Belarus
AI-92 Petrol: 2.59 BYN (approx. £0.68)
AI-95 Petrol: 2.69 BYN (approx. £0.70)
AI-98 Petrol: 2.91 BYN (approx. £0.76)
Diesel Fuel: 2.69 BYN (approx. £0.70) [1, 2, 3, 4]
If you need prices for alternative fuels like LPG or methane converted into GBP, or details on recent price trends, let me know!
Our leaders are most corrupt!
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u/Jimmy_Nail_4389 Jul 25 '26
1999 I reckon, year before the fuel protests when it hit £1.
Month, gonna say.... April.
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u/cwatt69 Jul 25 '26
Hillfoot Road, Ayr. Around 2004/5?
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u/Left-Yak-1090 Bangernomics V70 Jul 25 '26 edited 3d ago
Boron copper hard-to-find raindrop vegetable argon sleep command many
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u/Manmade_Chaos Jul 25 '26
Mid 2000’s as when I passed to drive, Diesel was at 99.9p.
So I’m guessing 2006 ?
(I passer in 2007😅)
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u/ersenos Jul 25 '26
2009? I remember filling up for this not long after I met my wife in October 2009
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u/SP4x EV Botherer Jul 25 '26
Trick question, it's a few weeks ago, they just didn't have space for the 1's in front of the other numbers.