A Fuel Pump Mix-Up Leaves Drivers Facing Expensive Repairs
A recent incident at a popular petrol station has left several drivers facing hefty repair bills, with some being charged up to £3,000. The situation unfolded at the Morrisons petrol station in Tiverton, Devon, where a mix-up in fuel dispensing caused significant problems for motorists.
It was discovered that the petrol pump was actually dispensing diesel and vice versa. Many drivers were unaware they had filled their vehicles with the wrong type of fuel, leading to engine damage and breakdowns. This error has resulted in numerous costly repairs for affected individuals.
One of the affected drivers is Graham Stevens, a forklift driver who filled his Vauxhall Insignia estate with unleaded petrol instead of diesel. He was given a repair bill of £2,800 after this mistake. Graham told BBC News, “I put in £50 of what I thought was diesel. I live just a minute away, so I didn’t notice anything wrong at first. But when I set off for work early the next morning, the car started spluttering and eventually died.”
After stopping at the petrol station on September 26, he managed to complete his journey to work in Dunkeswell, but his car broke down shortly afterwards. 
Graham was informed that the fuel injectors in his car’s engine were blocked due to contamination from the petrol. Motor Fuel Group (MFG), which owns the petrol station, admitted the mistake was their fault. However, Graham said he was told not to contact them again and is yet to hear from their insurance company, despite promises from MFG. He mentioned that he cannot afford the repairs needed.
More drivers shared their experiences on a local Facebook group after filling up at the petrol station. One mother, Susan Trudgill, wrote about how both her car and her daughter’s car were affected. She stated, “Both my Daughter and my car broke down, have had to hire a rental and just got one car back from garage repairs costing £108. Plus rental £220 still one car to go. Not happy.”
Another driver shared a similar story, saying, “Happened to my car, had to abandon it at the side of a road and it cannot start up. Filled up a whole tank pretty much…”
Some drivers claimed this mix-up is not the first time it has occurred at the garage. One individual said, “Happened to me October last year. I put 30 quids worth of diesel in and got home and my car was running rough. Took it to the garage and was told there was petrol in the tank. It cost me over 3k to fix.”
MFG has been contacted for comment. The incident has sparked discussions among drivers about the reliability of fuel stations and the potential for costly mistakes. There are also questions about whether the retail fuel market is failing drivers with high margins, costing UK drivers an extra £1.6 billion.
This event highlights the importance of vigilance when refueling and the need for clear communication from petrol stations to prevent such incidents in the future.
