It can cause big problems and be very expensive
Surging fuel costs are top of mind for many drivers at the moment, but with online searches for “wrong fuel in car” increasing by 163% between January and March this year compared to the previous quarter, drivers could also be experiencing a costly mistake at the pumps. That’s according to experts at MoneySuperMarket.
Misfuelling is an expensive error that can cause serious engine damage if not caught immediately. Specialist fuel rescue services charge between £120 and £1,000 to drain and flush the fuel tank of the wrong fuel and without the right insurance, the cost falls on the driver.
Alicia Hempsted, car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, has explained what drivers should do the moment they realise they’ve put the wrong fuel in their car.
What to do if you put the wrong fuel in your car
Alice said the immediate thing to remember was not to start your car. After misfuelling, keep the engine off. If you’ve already started it, switch off the ignition immediately.
Move your vehicle to a safe place. Put the car in neutral and roll it away from other pumps so your breakdown provider can reach you safely.
Call your breakdown provider. It will have specialist equipment to drain and flush the tank. Don’t attempt to do this 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 said the Google search data used was correct as of April 2026.
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