Frequently Asked Questions

Petrol acts as a solvent in a diesel fuel system, stripping the lubrication that high-pressure components depend on. The fuel pump and injectors are especially vulnerable — metal-on-metal contact can cause rapid wear and generate particles that travel through the system. If you haven't started the engine, a professional drain and flush will usually prevent any damage. If the engine has been running, the risk of costly component failure increases with every minute.

Diesel in a petrol engine tends to clog spark plugs, foul the fuel injectors, and coat the catalytic converter with oily residue. The engine may run very roughly, produce heavy smoke, or fail to start altogether. While generally less immediately destructive than the reverse mistake, it still requires a professional drain and flush. The fuel system, spark plugs, and potentially the catalytic converter will need attention to restore normal operation.

The extent of damage depends on three key factors: the type of misfuel, how much wrong fuel was added, and whether the engine was started. Vehicles that haven't been started typically suffer no lasting damage and need only a drain and flush. Vehicles driven on contaminated fuel can sustain damage to injectors, fuel pumps, fuel lines, and catalytic converters — with repair costs potentially running into thousands. The single biggest factor in limiting damage is how quickly you act.

No — do not drive or start the engine if you can avoid it. Even turning the key to the accessory position can activate the fuel pump in many modern vehicles, circulating the wrong fuel through the system. If you've already started the engine, turn it off immediately and do not attempt to restart it. The further you drive on contaminated fuel, the more extensive and expensive the damage becomes. Call a professional misfuel service and wait for assistance.

Even a small amount of the wrong fuel can cause problems, particularly in modern diesel engines with high-pressure common rail systems. While older, less sensitive engines might tolerate heavy dilution, it's never a safe gamble with precision-engineered modern fuel systems. The cost of a precautionary drain is a fraction of the potential repair bill if something goes wrong. Our strong recommendation is to drain rather than risk it, regardless of the quantity.

Not necessarily, but you should turn the engine off immediately and call for professional help. Many vehicles that have been briefly started on the wrong fuel recover fully after a drain and flush. The key factor is how long the engine ran and how far the vehicle was driven. A few seconds of running is very different from a few miles of driving. Our technician will assess the situation on-site and let you know if any additional repairs are needed beyond the standard drain and flush.

This is a common suggestion but it's not recommended, especially for diesel vehicles. Modern common rail diesel systems operate at extreme pressures where even a small percentage of petrol can strip lubrication and cause component damage. For petrol vehicles with a small amount of diesel, very heavy dilution may work in some cases, but it's a risk. The only truly safe approach is a complete drain and flush — it removes all uncertainty and protects your engine from potential damage.

Common symptoms of misfuelling include:

• Engine misfires, stuttering, or rough idling
• Excessive smoke from the exhaust — white, black, or blue
• Loss of power, especially under acceleration
• Engine management warning light illuminating
• Engine failing to start or stalling shortly after starting
• Unusual knocking or rattling noises from the engine

If you notice any of these symptoms shortly after refuelling, stop driving immediately and call for assistance.

Our typical response time is 30 to 60 minutes from the moment you call, depending on your location and current demand. We maintain a distributed network of mobile technicians to ensure broad coverage, and we dispatch the closest available technician to your location immediately. When you call, we'll give you an accurate estimated arrival time so you know exactly how long you'll be waiting.

We provide coverage across a wide geographic area through our distributed network of mobile technicians. Coverage extends to urban centres, suburban areas, and many rural locations. When you call, we'll confirm whether we can reach your specific location and provide an estimated arrival time. For fleet customers operating across multiple regions, we coordinate response through a dedicated account manager to ensure consistent service.

We come to you. Our service is fully mobile — our technicians arrive at your location with all the equipment needed to perform a complete fuel drain and flush on the spot. Whether you're at a filling station, parked at home, at your workplace, in a car park, or on a roadside, we'll reach you and resolve the problem where your vehicle is. In the vast majority of cases, there's no need for a tow truck or a trip to a garage.

Yes. All our technicians are trained in fuel system extraction and decontamination procedures covering all major vehicle manufacturers and fuel system types. We carry comprehensive public liability insurance and our processes comply with relevant health, safety, and environmental regulations. Our technicians carry proper safety equipment for working at roadsides, forecourts, and other locations, and all waste fuel is handled in accordance with environmental disposal requirements.

We operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. This includes evenings, weekends, public holidays, and bank holidays. When you call outside standard business hours, you'll still speak to a real person who will dispatch a technician to your location immediately. There is no reduced service at night or on weekends — you receive the same professional response at 3am as at 3pm.

The fastest way to reach us is by phone — our emergency line is staffed around the clock by real people, not automated systems. You can also reach us through our website contact form or online chat, though phone calls receive the fastest dispatch. When you contact us, have your location, vehicle details, and a description of what happened ready — this helps us dispatch the right technician with the right equipment as quickly as possible.

The cost of a fuel drain depends on several factors, including the size of your fuel tank, the type of vehicle, and the extent of contamination. We provide a clear, upfront quote before any work begins — there are no hidden fees or surprise charges. A straightforward drain and flush for a standard passenger car is significantly less expensive than the potential repair costs of driving on contaminated fuel, which can run into thousands for pump and injector replacement.

Many comprehensive motor insurance policies do cover misfuelling, though the specifics vary between providers and policy types. Some insurers treat it as an accidental damage claim, while others may have specific misfuel cover as an add-on. Check your policy documents or call your insurer to confirm. We provide detailed invoices and incident reports that insurance companies typically accept for claims processing. Be aware that making a claim may affect your no-claims bonus depending on your policy terms.

We accept all major payment methods, including credit and debit cards, contactless payment, and bank transfer. Payment is taken on completion of the work, after you've confirmed you're happy with the service. For fleet and business customers, we offer account-based invoicing with consolidated monthly billing. If your insurance company is covering the cost, we can work with them directly on payment where possible.

No. Our pricing is the same regardless of when you call — whether it's a weekday afternoon, a Saturday night, or a public holiday. We believe that misfuelling is stressful enough without worrying about premium rates for out-of-hours service. The price we quote you is the price you pay, with no surcharges, call-out fees, or hidden extras.

In almost every case, yes. A mobile fuel drain eliminates the cost of a tow truck (which can be substantial, especially at night or on weekends) and avoids the garage's labour charges for getting your vehicle on and off a ramp. You also save the time and hassle of arranging a tow and waiting for a garage appointment. Our mobile service is designed to be a faster, more convenient, and more cost-effective solution than the tow-and-garage alternative.

If the contamination originated from the fuel station rather than a misfuelling error, you may be entitled to claim the cost of repairs from the station operator or their insurers. Keep your fuel receipt as evidence of where and when you refuelled. We provide comprehensive documentation — including fuel sample analysis where possible, photographic evidence, and detailed repair reports — that can support your claim. Many customers have successfully recovered their costs in these situations.

Yes. Our service covers virtually all makes and models, including passenger cars, SUVs, light commercial vehicles, vans, pickups, and motorhomes. Our technicians are trained in the fuel system architectures used by all major manufacturers, from common rail diesel systems to modern petrol direct injection. If you have an unusual or specialist vehicle, mention it when you call and we'll ensure the attending technician has the specific knowledge and equipment required.

Yes. We have equipment capable of handling the larger fuel tanks found on commercial trucks, HGVs, and other heavy vehicles. The drain and flush process is the same in principle, though it takes longer due to the greater fuel volumes involved. Our technicians have experience with the fuel system types used in commercial vehicles from all major truck manufacturers, including common rail, unit injector, and older mechanical injection systems.

Yes. Hybrid vehicles with internal combustion engines are susceptible to the same misfuelling risks as conventional vehicles and we service them regularly. Our technicians are familiar with the specific requirements of hybrid fuel systems, including any differences in tank access and fuel line routing. For plug-in hybrids with smaller fuel tanks, the process is typically quicker. Fully electric vehicles don't use liquid fuel and therefore aren't at risk of misfuelling.

Absolutely. We regularly service premium and luxury marques, and our technicians understand the specific fuel system technologies and sensitivities these vehicles may have. High-end vehicles often feature complex, high-pressure fuel systems that require careful handling — our extraction and flushing equipment is designed to work within the specifications of these systems without causing any damage. We treat every vehicle with care, but we're especially attentive to the requirements of prestige models.

Yes. We have a dedicated fleet service designed for businesses and commercial fleet operators. This includes priority response times, dedicated account management, consolidated invoicing, incident reporting, and volume-based pricing. We cover all fleet vehicle types — from company cars and vans to trucks and specialist vehicles. Our fleet service is built around minimising downtime and providing the reporting and accountability that fleet managers need.

Our technician arrives at your location with specialist fuel extraction equipment. The process follows these steps:

• Assessment — we evaluate the situation, including what was added, how much, and whether the engine was started
• Extraction — using purpose-built suction equipment, we remove all contaminated fuel from the tank, lines, and filter housing
• Flushing — we circulate clean, correct fuel through the system to clear any residual contamination
• Filter replacement — the fuel filter is replaced as standard
• Refuelling — we add enough correct fuel to get you to the nearest filling station
• Testing — we start the engine and run checks to confirm normal operation

A typical fuel drain and flush takes between 30 and 60 minutes of hands-on work, depending on the size of your fuel tank, the volume of contaminated fuel, and whether a full system flush is required. Including our response time, most customers are back on the road within one to two hours of their initial call. More complex cases — such as vehicles that have been driven extensively on the wrong fuel — may take longer if additional component inspection or cleaning is needed.

In the vast majority of cases, yes. If the mistake was caught before the engine was started, your vehicle should be completely fine after a drain and flush — no lasting effects whatsoever. Even if the engine was briefly started or driven a short distance, most vehicles recover fully. Our technician will run post-drain checks to verify everything is operating correctly before leaving. In the rare cases where further attention is needed, we'll advise you clearly on what's required.

We use purpose-built fuel extraction systems designed specifically for vehicle fuel recovery. This includes high-flow suction units that can extract fuel from all tank types (including those with anti-siphon devices), pressurised flushing rigs for deep system cleaning, and sealed bunded containers for safe waste fuel storage and transport. We also carry manufacturer-level diagnostic tools for reading and clearing fault codes, plus replacement fuel filters for all common vehicle types. All equipment is regularly maintained and calibrated.

All contaminated fuel is captured in sealed, bunded containers on our service vehicle and transported to licensed waste processing facilities for environmentally responsible disposal or recycling. We never dispose of waste fuel at the extraction site — it is always removed and handled in full compliance with environmental regulations. We carry spill kits as standard and take every precaution to prevent any fuel from reaching drains, soil, or waterways during the extraction process.