Drivers warned of ‘easy’ mistake made every three minutes that could cost you thousands of pounds

Drivers have been warned about a simple mistake that could cost them thousands of pounds – as new data shows a surprisingly high number of us are doing it.

Motorists can get into all sorts of trouble by putting the wrong type of fuel into their vehicle at a gas station, known as “misfueling.”

A new study by comparison site GoCompare, exclusively for The Sun, has revealed that a fifth of drivers have filled up the wrong tank at least once, costing them a hefty repair bill.

The comparison site also found that 24% of male drivers have made this simple mistake, compared to 17% of female drivers.

And the number of drivers who admitted to making the mistake at least once rises to a quarter among young drivers, those aged 25 to 34.

According to the RAC, around 150,000 drivers make fuel mistakes every year in the UK – that’s around one driver every three minutes.

Depending on the type of fuel your vehicle uses, a simple mistake could mean replacing the entire fuel system, which can cost thousands of pounds.

And if you add more than 3% of the wrong type of fuel to a car, it can lead to reduced engine performance, stalling and engine damage, according to the RAC.

But the worst part is that Go Compare has found that 87% of car insurance policies don’t cover damage caused to drivers by bad fuel – so many of those who make this easy mistake should cover it themselves.

The comparison site found that only 13% of 296 car insurance policies analyzed by data firm Defaqto included coverage for the cost of removing petrol or diesel added to the wrong tank.

The study also found that 3% of insurance companies offer misfueling coverage as an option, but 84% exclude it completely.

Tom Banks, car insurance expert at Go Compare, said: “You might think you’ll never be guilty of bad fuel, but it could be an easier mistake to make than you think.

“If you’ve recently changed cars, are borrowing someone else’s vehicle, or simply have a lot on your mind when you’re at the gas station, you could quickly find yourself with a costly repair bill.”

It’s worth noting that while some car insurance policies won’t cover you for using the wrong fuel, you may be able to make a claim under a different clause.

Tom said it might be possible to make a claim for accidental damage or under your breakdown cover.

Some policies also include fuel draining and recovery of your vehicle to the nearest garage.

Tom said: “It is important to check the details of your car insurance to know the extent of your cover.

“If you don’t already have misfuelling cover as standard, you may want to add it as an option. With misfuelling repair bills often being extremely expensive, this additional cover could be a worthwhile investment.”

What to do in case of fuel error

Misfueling occurs when you put the wrong type of fuel into your vehicle.

For those with a diesel car, this means putting petrol in it, or vice versa.

Or, you might accidentally put the wrong type of fuel – for example E10 fuel into a car that isn’t compatible.

If you find yourself making the common mistake, there are a few not you must take steps to minimize the damage.

The first and most crucial step is not to turn the ignition on: this will engage your engine and could mean you have to replace your engine completely, costing you thousands of pounds.

Tom said, “Stop and call for help away from the yard.

“If you didn’t start the engine, you may be able to solve the problem by draining and cleaning the tank of bad fuel.”

If you turn on the ignition and start driving, be sure to pull over as soon as possible and turn off the engine.

Put the vehicle in neutral and call for assistance, who can drain and flush your fuel system.

Then call your insurer as soon as possible to find out if you are covered.

Other mistakes to avoid at gas stations

Callum Butler, of ALA Insurance, previously told The Sun that filling up your vehicle with fuel while the engine is running is a mistake to avoid.

This practice mixes fire and fuel, creating a serious fire hazard that could void your car’s warranty.

A car warranty protects you from having to pay for labor costs and replacement parts if a mechanical problem occurs.

Callum explained that the correct way to refuel is to turn off the engine and wait for the residual heat to dissipate before adding petrol or diesel to the tank.

Meanwhile, Graham Conway, managing director of UK leasing company Select Car Leasing, previously told The Sun why you shouldn’t keep filling your fuel tank after hearing a clicking sound.

Do this and you risk overfilling the tank, which could cause extra fuel to flow down the small drain under the driveway and onto the ground beneath your vehicle.

In addition to wasting money on fuel that ends up on the ground, you also risk damaging your tank.

Graham said this can “propel liquid fuel into the pipes,” damaging your car’s vapor recovery system.

This system prevents evaporated fuel from escaping when the gas tank cap is opened by capturing it in a canister of activated carbon.

Do this and you risk failing an emissions test and facing a costly repair bill of up to £500.

Do you have a money problem to solve? Contact us by emailing [email protected].

Additionally, you can join our Facebook group Sun Money Chats and Tips to share your tips and stories.