What MPG figure should I use for my car?

Your own measured figure, not the manufacturer's. Delivery driving is much harder on economy.

By JoltMilePublished 19/08/2026

Last checked 12/09/2026.

Measure it: fill the tank to the brim, drive a normal week, fill to the brim again, and divide the miles by the litres used, multiplied by 4.546.

Use your own figure rather than the official one. Delivery driving is stop-start with a loaded car and a lot of idling, and the real figure is frequently 20 to 30% worse than the manufacturer's combined number.

An MPG that is too optimistic makes your fuel cost look lower and your hourly rate look better than it is - which defeats the point of tracking it at all.

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