How misfuelling could mean a £5k bill!

Drivers who have put the wrong fuel into their vehicle face bills of up to £5,000, an investigation by Auto Express has revealed.

We picked the best-selling diesels in each manufacturer’s line-up and, posing as owners who had filled our vehicles with unleaded by mistake, asked dealers to quote for repairs.

Chrysler topped the list with a shocking £5,000 quote for a Grand Voyager. A spokesman justified the figure by claiming: “The price includes a new fuel system, which means replacing the tank itself. This is necessary to remove any contam­inants and avoid future issues.”

In contrast, a Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI owner would be charged £110 for the tank to be emptied, the system flushed and a new filter fitted.

Yet according to an AA technical expert, some car makers are being too careful. “Replacing major fuel system components is being over-cautious,” he said. “A simple flush-out should solve the problem.”

For the full, in-depth investigation picj-up your copy of this week's Auto Express (7-13 May, Issue 1,011).