# Returning a Rental Car After a Misfuel — Documentation and Avoiding Excess Disputes

> What to do if you misfuel a hire car, from documentation to insurer contact, and how to avoid hire excess disputes.

- Canonical URL: https://www.eekmechanical.co.uk/news/returning-a-rental-car-after-a-misfuel-documentation-and-avoiding-excess-mur5x6gu
- Published: 2026-10-03
- Author: EEK Mechanical
- Publisher: EEK Mechanical, operated in the UK by Road and Rescue Ltd t/a EEK Mechanical (parent: Forman Pacific, LLC)

## Misfuelled a hire car? Act calmly and document everything

Putting the wrong fuel in a rental car is more common than most drivers realise, and it can feel especially stressful when the vehicle isn't yours. The good news is that the situation is manageable if you follow a clear process. The key is to stop, avoid starting the engine, and begin documenting what has happened from the very first moment.

## What to do at the scene

If you have put petrol in a diesel vehicle or diesel in a petrol vehicle, do not turn the ignition on or attempt to drive. Starting the engine can circulate the wrong fuel through the system and cause substantial damage to components such as the fuel pump and injectors. Move the vehicle to a safe position only if you can do so without starting it, then contact your rental provider and your recovery service.

EEK Mechanical will dispatch a tow truck to your location — whether that is a forecourt, roadside, home, or car park. The vehicle is then transported to a GBIFDA-certified workshop, where manufacturer-spec fuel system recovery is completed. Recovery work is carried out only at the workshop, never at the collection location.

## Documentation to gather before you return the keys

Rental companies will want a clear record of what happened, and thorough documentation is your best protection against an unexpected hire excess charge. Make sure you collect the following:

Photographs of the fuel receipt showing the incorrect fuel type, the pump, and the vehicle's fuel cap or filler label. A written note of the time, date, and location of the incident. The recovery job reference from EEK Mechanical, along with the workshop report confirming the manufacturer-spec fuel system recovery was completed. Finally, keep any correspondence with the rental company, including the name of the representative you spoke to and the time of the call.

## Contacting your insurer and the rental provider

Notify the rental company as soon as it is safe to do so, and follow their instructions for recovery and return. If you have taken out separate hire car excess cover or travel insurance, contact your insurer promptly and provide the documentation you have gathered. Many policies require you to report the incident within a set timeframe, so acting quickly matters.

If the rental company's own insurer is involved, they may request the workshop report and recovery reference. Having these ready helps the claim move smoothly and reduces the chance of a dispute over the excess. Remember that third-party roadside assistance providers, such as motoring organisations or rental company partners, are separate from EEK Mechanical's tow-to-workshop recovery service.

## What to do now

If you have just misfuelled a hire car, the most important step is to arrange collection before the vehicle is started. EEK Mechanical's tow truck will collect the vehicle and take it to a GBIFDA-certified workshop for manufacturer-spec fuel system recovery. Recovery is fully itemised, and costs vary by tow distance, after-hours timing, and vehicle type.

For immediate help, call our 24/7 customer hotline on [0808 280 6346](tel:08082806346). For a clear breakdown of itemised recovery pricing, see our [rate card](/rate-card).

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Source: https://www.eekmechanical.co.uk/news/returning-a-rental-car-after-a-misfuel-documentation-and-avoiding-excess-mur5x6gu