This one mistake could cost UK drivers up to £1,000

Key takeaways

• Misfuelling can cause serious engine damage, with costly repairs if drivers don’t act immediately and correctly.

• Drivers are urged not to start the car if they have put the wrong fuel in it, as this can cause the fuel to circulate and damage internal components.

• Insurance isn't guaranteed to cover you if you put the wrong fuel in your car, so check your policy and consider getting extra protection.

Surging fuel costs are top of mind for many drivers at the moment, but with searches for “wrong fuel in car” increasing by 163% between January and March this year compared to the previous quarter, drivers could also be experiencing a costly mistake at the pumps.

Misfuelling is an expensive error that can cause serious engine damage if not caught immediately. Specialist fuel rescue services charge between £120 and £1,000 to drain and flush the fuel tank of the wrong fuel.

However, driving your car after putting in the wrong fuel can cause even more damage by circulating the wrong fuel throughout the car, which can damage fuel injectors or pumps and, in worst-case scenarios, can even cause engine failure.

These kinds of repairs can increase repair costs by hundreds or even thousands of pounds, and without the right insurance, these costs fall directly on the driver.

What to do if you put the wrong fuel in your vehicle

what drivers should do the moment they realise they’ve put the wrong fuel in their car.

• Don’t start your car: After misfuelling, keep the engine off. If you’ve already started it, switch off the ignition immediately.

• Move your vehicle to a safe place: Put the car in neutral and roll it away from other pumps so your breakdown provider can reach you safely

• Call your breakdown provider: They have specialist equipment to drain and flush the tank. Don’t attempt to do this yourself!

Alicia Hempsted
Insurance Expert

Car insurance isn't guaranteed to help

Misfuelling is not typically covered by car insurance, so it isn’t a mistake to take lightly.

In most cases, you will need to add additional misfuelling insurance to your policy to include that protection, although some comprehensive policies may include misfuelling under accidental damage.

Make sure you check your insurance cover to ensure you have the right protection in place should this happen to you.

^Sources

<sup>1. Google search data is correct as of April 2026.
2. Cost of fuel draining from Simple Fuel Solutions https://simplefuelsolutions.co.uk/how-much-does-a-fuel-drain-cost/</sup>