Misfuelling is an expensive mistake that can cause serious engine damage if not caught immediately
Rocketing fuel costs are front of mind for many motorists right now, but with online searches for “wrong fuel in car” soaring by 163% between January and March this year compared to the previous quarter, drivers could also be making a costly blunder at the pumps. That’s according to experts at MoneySuperMarket.
Misfuelling is a pricey mistake that can cause severe engine damage if not caught straight away. Specialist fuel rescue services charge between £120 and £1,000 to drain and flush the fuel tank of the incorrect fuel and without adequate insurance, the bill lands squarely with the driver.
Alicia Hempsted, car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, has outlined exactly what motorists should do the moment they realise they’ve filled up with the wrong fuel.
What to do if you put the wrong fuel in your car
Alicia said the very first thing to bear in mind was not to start your car. Following misfuelling, keep the engine switched off. If you’ve already started it, turn off the ignition straight away.
Move your vehicle to a safe location. Put the car in neutral and roll it away from the other pumps so your breakdown provider can reach you without difficulty.
Contact your breakdown provider. It will have specialist equipment to drain and flush the tank. Do not attempt to carry this out yourself.
Alicia said: “Misfuelling is a potentially expensive mistake that can catch drivers out all year around, although recently there has been an increase in online searches for information about what to do if you accidentally put the wrong fuel in your car.
“If it happens to you, it’s important to know how to respond, as misfuelling can seriously damage your car if not dealt with quickly. If possible, don’t start your car. Starting your engine after putting in the wrong fuel can increase repair costs by hundreds or even thousands of pounds.
“If you’ve already started it, switch off the ignition as soon as possible. Move your car to a safe place by putting into neutral and rolling the vehicle and call your breakdown provider or garage to drain and flush the tank.
“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.”
MoneySuperMarket confirmed that the Google search data used was accurate as of April 2026.
