Misfuelled at a Self-Service Station?

Misfuelled at a Self-Service Station?

Self-service fuel stations are where the vast majority of misfuelling incidents happen. There's no attendant to double-check, the nozzles can look similar, and a moment's distraction is all it takes.

First: Don't Panic, Don't Move the Car

Misfuelling is far more common than you'd think — thousands of drivers do it every year. The important thing is what you do next, and the single most valuable thing you can do is nothing rash.

If You Realise at the Pump

This is the best-case scenario. The wrong fuel is in your tank but hasn't been through the engine.

Immediate Steps

1. Do NOT turn the key or press the start button — even switching to the "on" position can activate the fuel pump on some vehicles, pushing contaminated fuel into the lines

2. Leave the vehicle in neutral with the handbrake on

3. Alert the station staff — they deal with this regularly and can help

4. Push the car away from the pump to free up the space — station staff will usually assist

5. Call for a professional fuel drain immediately

What the Station Can Do

While the station isn't responsible for your misfuel, most will:

• Help you push the car to a safe parking spot
• Let you wait inside the shop
• Provide access for our recovery technician
• Supply CCTV footage if needed for an insurance claim

If You've Already Driven

If you didn't realise the mistake and have driven away, the contaminated fuel is now circulating through the system. Stop as soon as it's safe.

1. Pull over in a safe location — don't block traffic

2. Turn off the engine immediately

3. Do NOT attempt to restart — even to move the car a short distance

4. Call for help — we'll come to wherever you are

Warning Signs While Driving

If you've put petrol in a diesel car, you may notice:

• **Loss of power** — the engine feels sluggish and unresponsive
• **Rough running** — misfires, juddering, or stumbling
• **Unusual exhaust smoke** — often excessive and grey or white
• **Engine warning lights** — check engine, DPF, or generic fault lights
• **Knocking or rattling sounds** from the engine

Station Responsibility

It's Your Responsibility

At a self-service station, the legal responsibility for selecting the correct fuel rests with the driver. The station is not liable — even if the nozzles look confusingly similar or labelling is poor.

Exceptions

In rare cases, stations have been held liable when:

• Pumps were incorrectly labelled (wrong fuel in the marked dispenser)
• The station's own fuel delivery resulted in cross-contamination in their tanks
• Equipment failures dispensed the wrong product

If you suspect the station's equipment is at fault (the nozzle was labelled diesel but dispensed petrol), document everything and request CCTV footage immediately.

Documentation Checklist

To support any insurance claim or dispute, gather:

• **Fuel receipt** — proves what fuel was purchased and when
• **Photos of the pump, nozzle, and labels** — capture everything while you're there
• **Photo of your vehicle's fuel cap or label** showing the correct fuel type
• **Station name, address, and pump number**
• **Time and date**
• **Names of any staff you spoke to**
• **Our invoice** — we provide detailed documentation including the type and volume of contaminated fuel removed

The Golden Rule

If in doubt, don't start the engine. A fuel drain on a vehicle that hasn't been started is straightforward, fast, and relatively inexpensive. Once you turn that key, the cost and complexity increase with every second.