October’s Motoring Bill: Petrol Rose 6.0% in a Month, Used Cars 1.5%
Geostat’s October detail shows faster fuel-price growth alongside smaller changes in vehicle purchase prices and a continuing annual rise in repair costs.
Fuel made the larger monthly move
Geostat’s October 2026 figures put petrol prices 6.0% above September and diesel 6.2% higher. Compared with October a year earlier, petrol was up 37.1% and diesel 61.3%. Gas fuel was unchanged month on month and 0.6% higher year on year.
For drivers keeping their present car, the fuel line brought an immediate budget change. The monthly and annual readings describe different horizons: the first measures the latest step, while the second includes the preceding year’s movements.
Fuel made the larger monthly move
Geostat’s October 2026 figures put petrol prices 6.0% above September and diesel 6.2% higher. Compared with October a year earlier, petrol was up 37.1% and diesel 61.3%. Gas fuel was unchanged month on month and 0.6% higher year on year.
For drivers keeping their present car, the fuel line brought an immediate budget change. The monthly and annual readings describe different horizons: the first measures the latest step, while the second includes the preceding year’s movements.
Buying a car moved less sharply
Used-car prices rose 1.5% over the month and 1.8% over the year in the official detail. New-car prices fell 0.3% month on month and 0.2% year on year. Purchase and fuel spending consequently followed different paths during October.
AutoBridge’s 9 November offer provides a separate shopping reference: 18 874 passenger-car advertisements with a $14 500 median ask. An individual budget can put that purchase price beside the recurring expense of the fuel the chosen car uses.
Servicing has its own annual increase
Car repair prices were unchanged over the month but 26.0% above a year earlier. Oil-and-filter replacement rose 2.5% month on month and 11.6% year on year. Spare parts increased 2.6% over the month and 15.7% over the year.
A stable monthly repair reading therefore follows a much higher annual level. For a used-car buyer, documented recent maintenance can help identify which jobs belong in the first period of ownership.
Put purchase and use in the same budget
October’s figures give a practical reason to price the next service and expected fuel use alongside the vehicle itself. A lower purchase ask leaves a different budget when tyres, parts or an overdue service are immediately due.
The official detail covers October 2026. The AutoBridge reading date is 9 November 2026. Keeping those periods visible lets the buyer combine a completed month’s running-cost trend with the current asking-price offer.
Asking prices and advertised characteristics. Reading date: 9 November 2026.
Methodology
AutoBridge advertised passenger cars and the public sources linked below.
Asking prices, advertised vehicle characteristics and the stated official reference period.
Reading date: 9 November 2026.