In Tiverton, an incident occurred that left a driver facing a hefty bill of £2,800 due to an error at a local fuel station. The driver, Mr. Stevens, believed he was filling his vehicle with diesel, but unknowingly pumped petrol instead. This mistake led to significant damage to his car, complicating his daily commute.
Incident Details
Mr. Stevens recounted his experience, saying he filled his tank with £50 worth of fuel. Initially, he did not notice any issues with the car. However, the following day, while commuting to work at Dunkeswell, the vehicle began to splutter and eventually stalled.
Impact of the Incident
Struggling to reach his workplace, Mr. Stevens managed to drive 18 miles (29 km) before the car broke down completely. A mechanic later diagnosed the problem, attributing the failure to blocked fuel injectors caused by petrol contamination.
Repair Costs and Response
- Temporary repair cost: £300
- Estimated full repair cost: £2,800
The necessary repairs include replacements for the fuel injectors and a high-pressure diesel pump. Mr. Stevens expressed frustration with the situation, noting that MFG, the fuel station, acknowledged the mistake. The company informed him that the fuel pipes had been incorrectly connected during installation.
Lack of Support
Despite MFG’s admission of fault, Mr. Stevens stated he has yet to receive further communication from their insurance. He mentioned that he is not the only one affected, claiming to have heard about nearly 40 other individuals facing similar issues.
He expressed his disappointment, stating, “There’s been no empathy, no support.” Mr. Stevens also highlighted his financial strain, noting that while he had £400 available for temporary repairs, he could not afford the total cost of the necessary fixes. The story reflects growing concerns over fuel station errors and their repercussions on drivers.
