By TOM LAWRENCE, NEWS REPORTER
A fuel pump mix-up at a popular petrol station has left drivers facing repair bills of up to £3,000.
The Morrisons petrol station in Tiverton, Devon, has caused a huge headache for many motorists after they unwittingly put the wrong fuel in their cars.
It was discovered the petrol pump was, in fact, dispensing diesel... and vice versa.
The motorists consequently left the service station totally unaware that they now had the incorrect fuel in their engines, leading to some experiencing breakdowns shortly afterwards.
Now a number of drivers have had to foot the bill for expensive repairs.
Among them, forklift driver Graham Stevens was given a repair bill of £2,800 after his 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.'
After stopping at the petrol station on September 26, he managed to complete his journey to work in Dunkeswell but his car broke down shortly afterwards.
The Morrisons petrol station in Tiverton, Devon had the diesel and petrol pumps mixed up
He was told that the fuel injectors in the car's engine were blocked due to contamination from the petrol.
Motor Fuel Group (MFG), which owns the petrol station, admitted to Graham that the mistake was their fault.
However Graham said he was told not to contact them again and is yet to hear from their insurance company, despite promises from MFG.
Graham said he cannot afford the repairs needed.
More drivers took to a local Facebook group to share their experiences after filling up at the petrol station.
One mother said both her car and her daughter's car were affected.
Susan Trudgill wrote: 'Both my Daughter and my car broke down, have had to hire a rental and just got 1 car back from garage repairs costing £108. Plus rental £220 still one car to go. Not happy.'
Another wrote: 'Happened to my car, had to abandon it at the side of a road and it cannot start up. Filled up a whole tank pretty much…'
One driver claimed it is not the first time the mix-up has happened at the gaarage.
They said: 'Happened to me October last year. I put 30 quids worth of diesel in and got home and my car was running rough. Took it to the garage and was told there was petrol in the tank.. It cost me over 3k to fix.'
MFG has been contacted for comment.
