Motorists have warned that a simple mistake made by 150,000 drivers a year could cost them £5,000

Motorists have been warned to avoid an easy mistake that could lead to thousands of pounds worth of damage. You can end up with an expensive bill if you make the mistake of ‘wrong fueling’, which is when a driver accidentally fills their vehicle with the wrong type of fuel at the petrol station.

According to the RAC, around 150,000 UK drivers make the mistake each year. The AA warns that filling the tank incorrectly can cause engine damage, while the cost of replacement parts from certain manufacturers could reach more than £5,000.

Even just emptying the fuel tank can set drivers back several hundred pounds. Go Compare’s Tom Banks spoke to The Sun about the issue.

He explained: “It could be an easier mistake to make than you think. If you’ve recently traded cars, are borrowing someone else’s vehicle, or just have a lot on your mind when you’re at the gas station, you could quickly find yourself staring down an expensive repair bill.”

He advised drivers to read their insurance policies, as some agreements may include cover for misfueling as part of breakdown cover, even if it is not explicitly stated. Signs that you’ve misfueled can vary depending on whether gasoline was put into a diesel vehicle or vice versa.

For the former, signs may include excessive exhaust smoke and slow acceleration, while the check engine light may come on or the engine may shut down completely. If diesel fuel has been put into a petrol car, the engine may stall or stall and there may be a large amount of smoke from the exhaust.

It’s usually harder to accidentally fill a petrol car with diesel because the diesel nozzle is usually too big for a petrol car’s tank. If you realize you’ve put in the wrong fuel while you’re at the gas station, instead of driving away, you can put your car in neutral and ask for help to move your vehicle to a safe location and then call assistance.