I've put the wrong fuel in. What do I do right now?+
Don't start the engine — don't even turn the ignition on, and on a keyless car keep the key away from it. Put the car in neutral and, with help, push it clear of the pump. Tell the forecourt staff, then call us. Most cars are back on the road within an hour of the technician arriving.
How much does a wrong fuel drain cost?+
Our fixed price starts at £199 if the engine hasn't been started, including draining, flushing, 10 litres of the right fuel and legal disposal of the contaminated fuel. There's no call-out charge and no extra for nights, weekends or bank holidays.
How quickly can you get to me?+
Our target is to reach most drivers within 45 to 60 minutes. Rural areas and busy periods can take longer; we'll give you a real arrival time on the phone and keep you updated.
Do you come to motorway services, supermarkets and car parks?+
Yes. We drain cars on forecourts, at motorway services, in supermarket and retail park car parks, outside your home or office — wherever the car is safely parked.
Can I just drive it to a garage?+
Please don't. Driving circulates the wrong fuel through the pump and injectors, which is where expensive damage happens. A mobile drain comes to you and costs far less than recovery plus a garage repair.
Will my car insurance cover wrong fuel?+
Some policies and breakdown covers include misfuel; many exclude it or cap it. Check your documents. We give you an itemised receipt and job report so you can claim if you're covered.
Is it safe to drain fuel on a petrol station forecourt?+
Yes, when it's done properly. We use sealed, ADR-compliant pumps and containers, spill kits, and follow the forecourt's safety rules. If the site manager prefers, we'll move the car a short distance first.
What happens to the contaminated fuel?+
We take it away and it's disposed of by a licensed waste carrier. Pouring it away or leaving it on site is illegal — beware of anyone who offers to.
Do you work 24 hours?+
Yes — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. No surcharges for nights, weekends or bank holidays.
Do you cover hire cars, lease cars and company vehicles?+
Yes. We'll give you the paperwork the hire or lease company needs, and we can bill fleet and rental businesses directly on account.
Can I drive with a small amount of petrol in my diesel?+
We don't recommend it. Older diesels could tolerate a splash, but modern common-rail engines run at very high pressure and depend on diesel's lubricity. Even a few litres of petrol can damage the pump. The cost of a drain is small next to the cost of a fuel pump.
I turned the key but didn't start the engine. Is that a problem?+
Possibly. On many cars, turning the ignition on primes the fuel pump and pulls fuel into the lines. Tell us when you call and we'll drain the lines as well as the tank.
How long does it take?+
Most drains take 30 to 45 minutes from when the technician arrives. If the engine has been run, allow an hour or so for the extra flushing.
Will this affect my warranty?+
A professional drain with a written job report is what most manufacturers and insurers want to see. The damage that voids warranties usually comes from driving on, not from the drain.
Do I need to tell my insurer?+
Check your policy. Some include misfuel cover, some exclude it. We give you an itemised receipt and report either way, so you can claim if you're covered.
Is diesel in a petrol car as bad as petrol in a diesel?+
Usually less damaging, because the engine simply refuses to run well rather than wearing its fuel pump. But it still needs draining — a petrol engine will not clear diesel by itself.
Can I top up with petrol to dilute it?+
No. Diluting doesn't change what's in the tank, and any diesel that reaches the engine will cause misfires. Drain it.
My hybrid has diesel in it — can you help?+
Yes. Petrol hybrids are drained the same way. We take care not to let the car start its engine automatically while we work.
I drove 20 miles before it cut out. Is my engine ruined?+
Not necessarily. Plenty of cars are fine after a full flush. The sooner you stop, the better your odds. We'll tell you straight what we find.
Do you replace the fuel filter?+
When the engine has run on the wrong fuel we normally recommend it, and carry common filters on the van. We'll quote before fitting.
What if the flush doesn't fix it?+
If the car still won't run properly because of mechanical damage, we'll explain what we found and help you arrange recovery to a garage.
Is AdBlue in the fuel tank worse than petrol?+
It can be, if it reaches the fuel system. Caught before the ignition is switched on, a drain and flush is often all that's needed.
What about diesel in the AdBlue tank?+
That's a contamination of the emissions system rather than the engine. Don't drive — call us and we'll advise; it usually needs the AdBlue tank and lines cleaned or the dealer involved.
Can you drain a car on the hard shoulder?+
Usually not — it isn't safe. We'll arrange for the car to be moved to services or a safe location first, then drain it there.
The services staff want my car moved off the pump.+
Put it in neutral and push it clear with help from staff. Don't start it. We drain cars in services car parks every day.
Do you do HGVs and coaches?+
Yes. Larger tanks need more capacity, so we'll confirm the vehicle and quote on the phone before dispatch.
Can you work with our hire company or lease provider?+
Yes — we work with fleet, leasing and rental businesses and can bill them directly where they've authorised it.
The petrol station sold me bad fuel. Who pays?+
If a forecourt supplied contaminated fuel, they're usually liable. Keep your fuel receipt; our report and a sealed sample support your claim.
I put engine oil in the fuel tank.+
Don't start it. A small amount in a diesel is less critical than in a petrol car, but either way the tank should be drained.
How much fuel do you bring?+
Enough to reach a forecourt comfortably — usually around 10 litres.
I ran out on the motorway.+
Get behind the barrier and call us. If the car is in a live lane or you feel in danger, call 999 first.
Wrong fuel? Don't start the engine.
Call now for a fixed price and a real arrival time. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.