Motorists are facing a huge headache after being left with car repair bills of up to £3,000 at a popular petrol station. A fuel pump mix-up Morrisons petrol station in Tiverton, Devon made customers unknowingly damage their cars. It was discovered that the diesel pump was dispensing petrol and vice versa. Shortly after leaving the station, the drivers experienced shocking car breakdowns.
Some, including forklift driver Graham Stevens, have had to foot the bill for expensive repairs. Mr Stevens was given a repair bill of £2,800 after filling the tank in his Vauxhall Insignia estate with unleaded petrol, instead of diesel.
He told BBC News: "I put in £50 of what I thought was diesel. I live just a minute away, so I didn't notice anything wrong at first. But when I set off for work early the next morning, the car started spluttering and eventually died."
Motor Fuel Group (MFG), the owner of the petrol station, acknowledged to Graham that the error was their responsibility. However, Graham said he was instructed not to contact the company again and has still not heard from their insurance provider, despite MFG's assurances. He added that he cannot afford the necessary repairs. The supermarket chain now faces calls to compensate the motorists affected by the incident.
Mr Stevens is one of many affected by the error.
He said: "It's appalling. There's been no empathy, no support.
"I was lucky I had £400 in my pocket to get the car going again, but I can't afford the full repair."
Fergus Alexander, 65, from Tiverton, said he filled his car with £70 of what he believed was diesel, only for it to break down shortly afterwards, revealing it had actually been petrol.
Jamie Wilson, 24, also from Tiverton, thought he had topped up with unleaded fuel, but discovered it was diesel after his car broke down around 15 minutes later.
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