150,000 drivers 'mis-fuel every year'

New research has shown that 150,000 drivers are putting their car insurance premiums at risk every year in the UK by mis-fuelling their vehicles.

According to the British Insurance Brokers' Association (Biba), putting the wrong fuel in a car can cost up to £5,000 to repair and nearly one-third (30 per cent) of insurers said that they would not pay out for mis-fuelling claims on their breakdown car cover plans.

Diesel drivers are reportedly most at risk of damaging their cars, with 95 per cent of the 150,000 cases last year being caused by people with diesel cars putting unleaded petrol into their vehicle due to the wider diesel filler neck and narrower unleaded nozzle.

In the event of mis-fuelling at home or abroad, Biba advises that drivers should not start the car to avoid further damage and should also notify their British insurance company immediately.

Biba insurance broker Michael Edwards said: "Mis-fuelling often occurs on a Monday morning and Friday evening when drivers are preoccupied thinking about the week ahead or rushing home for the weekend."

By Emma North