Drivers have vented their frustrations over fears they have been filling up with “contaminated fuel” at a popular petrol station in Kent.
Many people have taken to social media over their anger that their cars have broken down after buying unleaded fuel from a supermarket petrol station in Strood, Kent.
Writing on Facebook, one drivers questioned whether other locals had seen any issues with their vehicles after buying petrol from the supermarket petrol station in question.
They claimed that their car broke down after 15 minutes as they were travelling to Rochester, forcing them to get it towed to a garage, where they say “contaminated fuel” was found.
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Around 150,000 cases of contaminated fuel issues are recorded every year
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The aggrieved driver said the garage had to drain the petrol from the tank, costing them “more than £500 and two days of work”.
Another motorist said their father had filled up at the same petrol station last week and now their vehicle wouldn’t start.
They claimed the filling station had closed the pump which was believed to carry the “contaminated fuel”.
A third motorist claimed: “I had an issue back in June, petrol in the diesel so my mechanics confirmed.
“A letter of complaint and the reply was ‘there is no water in the fuel tanks’. I replied and stated it was actually petrol in the diesel tank. They seem to have ignored [me].”
The RAC estimates that around 150,000 Britons put the wrong fuel in their car every year, although far fewer deal with cases of contaminated fuel.
The motoring organisation says its wrong fuel recovery service can drain the tank, removing the contaminated fuel, as well as providing them with enough fuel to get them moving again.
Speaking to Kent Online, Tyler Clarke-Wolfe, said he was experiencing “serious mechanical issues” having filled up at the petrol station.
He explained that mechanics said it would cost around £1,000 to fix the issue from the fuel and repair a previous problem with the engine warning light.
The driver told Kent Online: “The repair costs are insane and it’s frustrating knowing this could have been avoided.
“After noticing the problems, I turned to social media and found posts from others who had similar experiences after visiting the same petrol station.
“It’s clear that this isn’t an isolated incident, as drivers have reported breakdowns, strange engine noises, and even being stranded after refueling at Strood.”
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Some drivers were forced to have their tanks flushed out after filling up with contaminated fuel
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While prices will vary, drivers will generally need to spend between £120 and £250 to flush out their fuel tank after filling up with contaminated fuel.
GB News has contacted the filling station operator for a comment.
