Fuel contamination riddle continues - What to do if you think you're affected

Don't panic, here's what to do if you have any questionable fuel in your tank or have accidentally filled up with the wrong fuel.

What could be wrong?
You might notice that your car is running roughly, or has substantially less power than before, or is even reluctant to start. You might also hear a strange 'pinking' noise from the engine - a kind of metallic chirruping sound - or it may misfire. If you've put the wrong fuel in your car, it might not start at all

Stop driving
Don't start your car, or park up and switch off as soon as possible if you're on the move. Don't be tempted to try and drive home. Some manufacturers say that you shouldn't even unlock the doors as this can start the fuel pump and force fuel into the engine.

Call a professional
You should call a recovery company who can send a truck to take you to a garage.

If you didn't start the car after filling up with the wrong fuel, then it may be a case of emptying the fuel tank, draining and flushing the system, and changing the fuel filter.

Be warned; even if you have breakdown cover, it probably won't cover the cost of draining your car's fuel system if you've made a mistake. If you suspect you've got dodgy fuel, contact the car's manufacturer and ask for their advice.

Is it going to cost a lot to fix?
Garages will charge you £200 or more to drain and flush a fuel system, but if you've been running the engine with the wrong fuel, or poor-quality fuel, you could be in for a big bill.

Modern engines don't like using suspect fuel, so the engine might need to be rebuilt and have expensive components replaced. You may be covered by your insurance policy, but check the small print carefully.

What if it's not my fault?
If you think that you've bought poor-quality fuel, or put the wrong fuel in your car because it was incorrectly labelled on the forecourt, you may be able to claim compensation.

You'll need a sample of the fuel, along with receipts and any other evidence of where and when you bought it. Write to the garage to complain, contact your local Trading Standards office and call Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.