How to Prevent Misfuelling Your Rental Car in the United Kingdom
Rental cars are one of the highest-risk categories for misfuelling. Here is why, and the simple checks that protect you from an expensive mistake on your next trip.
Why Rental Cars Are High-Risk for Misfuelling
Rental cars represent one of the most common misfuel scenarios in the United Kingdom. When you drive an unfamiliar vehicle, you may not automatically know whether it takes diesel or petrol — and at a busy self-service forecourt, mistakes happen fast. A 2023 survey by a major UK motoring organisation found that one in three misfuelling incidents involved either a rental or borrowed vehicle.
The Diesel Nozzle Problem
Modern diesel nozzles are designed to be wider than petrol nozzles to prevent petrol being accidentally put into diesel cars. However, rental fleets in the United Kingdom increasingly include small diesels — Toyota Corollas, Mazda 3s, and SUVs — where the nozzle diameter difference is less obvious, especially under time pressure. The moment you collect a rental car, check the fuel cap: it will state the fuel type clearly, and many modern vehicles also display it on the instrument cluster when you switch on.
What to Do If You Misfuel a Rental
Do not start the engine. Do not move the vehicle. Call the rental company immediately, then call EEK Mechanical on 0808 280 6346. Liability for misfuelling is almost always with the driver under standard rental agreements — your credit card travel insurance or personal car insurance may cover the recovery cost, so document everything. A fast response limits damage and limits your bill.
EEK Mechanical works with all major rental companies and can coordinate directly with their roadside assistance teams. The sooner you call, the lower the risk of damage to the vehicle's fuel system.
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