Petrol prices might have pulled back in recent weeks, but the cost of filling up the car is a concern to many Kiwis.

A survey of 2500 people by financial research and ratings agency Canstar Blue found more than half of respondents used their car only for vital trips, because of the high cost of petrol.

Regular unleaded petrol has fallen in price by 14c during the last month to $2.059.

About two-thirds of Kiwis said they used fuel discount dockets when filling up with petrol, even when it took the effort of going to a less conveniently located service station to cash in the discount.

The most popular service station with those surveyed was the recently rebranded Z Energy, formerly Shell. It was rated five stars in almost all the criteria judged, including service, price of petrol, appearance and cleanliness of the service station and overall satisfaction.

Z chief executive Mike Bennetts said it had been a big decision to develop a local brand from scratch.

"But we listened carefully to customers before we took the decision and we've developed a brand and an offer which is all about our customers."

Gull service stations also rated well, getting five stars for the price of petrol and customer satisfaction.

Pak'N Save supermarkets' gas stations were rated four stars out of five for petrol price, but only two stars for service and facilities.

BP scored only one star for the price of petrol but four for its range of other items, appearance and cleanliness. Caltex scored two stars for the price of petrol and four stars for its facilities. Challenge and Mobil also scored two stars for petrol price. Mobil was rated four stars for service and facilities.

 

- © Fairfax NZ News

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