Savvy Perth drivers save $520 on petrol by filling up on Mondays

Perth motorists are $520 a year better off on average if they fill up their cars on Mondays rather than Tuesdays.

A report by the competition watchdog into fuel cycles across the nation’s capital cities has revealed Perth motorists can save more than drivers anywhere else if they buy their petrol on the right day of the week.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission found that Perth had the most stable price cycle in the country, with the low point at the start of the week and the most expensive on Tuesday.

The cycle has existed since 2011.

In other cities it has varied and can extend for up to three weeks.

The stability of the cycle is so strong that about a quarter of Perth petrol is sold on Mondays. Just 10 per cent is on Tuesdays.

“The ACCC estimates that motorists in Perth, who fill up once a week — and always on the cheapest day of each week — could save themselves around $520 a year compared with always filling up on the most expensive day,” the ACCC said.

So big are some of the discounts that people who buy on the cheapest day can get petrol below wholesale cost.

In cities where the cycle is more hit and miss, the ACCC says even savvy drivers are worse off compared to Perth.

People in Sydney who buy at the bottom of the market save about $175 a year, while those in Brisbane and Melbourne save about $150.

In Adelaide the saving is $200.

The ACCC believes the FuelWatch scheme is the difference.

“The consistency of price cycles in Perth has likely been influenced by the FuelWatch scheme, which has been in operation since 2001,” it said.

While there are driver information apps available on the east coast, which give information about the cheapest petrol, FuelWatch locks in prices for 24 hours.

The ACCC found that while unleaded petrol price cycles exist in capital cities and other big centres, there are no similar cycles for LPG or diesel.