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Fuel prices could increase after an Essex oil refinery went into administration on Tuesday. Coryton refinery in Essex halted supplies when it was announced its Swiss-based parent company Petroplus was insolvent.

The plant normally supplies around 20 per cent of the South East of England with fuel, so any closure is expected to cause disruptions.

Administrators have now taken over the plant and are in talks with BP - Coryton's former owners - to get supplies back up and running. Motorists are being advised not to stock up on fuel as oil companies claim alternative sources have been secured.

Diesel was at its most expensive last May, when it cost around £1.43 per litre, just one pence more expensive than current levels. Petrol has peaked at just over £1.37 and is currently heading towards £1.34 per litre.

High fuel costs have sparked a downsizing trend in motorists, with sales of superminis up considerably. The Ford Fiesta was 2011's most popular new car.

In December we reported that the efficiency of new cars has increased by a third in ten years and that the average new car now manages 52.5mpg. But, which cars offer the ultimate in economy motoring? Here's a selection of the most fuel-efficient cars currently on sale:

• Kia Rio 1.1 CRDi 1 EcoDynamics - 88.3mpg, 85g/km
• Citroen C3 - 83.1mpg, 87g/km
• Smart Fortwo Coupe - 83.1mpg, 89g/km
• Skoda Fabia Greenline - 83.1mpg, 89g/km
• Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion - 80.7mpg, 91g/km
• Toyota Prius - 72.4mpg, 89g/km

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