Bank holiday getaway set to fuel breakdowns

29 August 2011
  • A 50 per cent increase in motorists running out of fuel is expected compared to August 2010
  • The same cost for 25 litres of unleaded petrol last year, motorists will now only get 21.5 litres
  • £1.3million of damage to be caused by mis-fuelling this weekend

Green Flag Breakdown expects to see a 50 per cent increase in drivers running out of fuel this weekend compared to the Bank Holiday last year. This is primarily due to the increased cost of fuel and drivers use value rather than volume to fill up their car. For example if they have been used to putting £20 in, the same amount will now buy far less fuel.

With average prices for unleaded petrol now at 135.95p per litre, compared to 115.64p in August 2010*, a driver only gets 21.5 litres for the same amount of money that would have bought them 25 litres a year ago. This is the equivalent of losing over 32 miles** between refills for the average size car.

Further analysis by Green Flag of previous bank holidays, has shown that misfuelling is also a common cause of breakdown and £1.3 million of damage is predicted to be caused. This may be due to the driver using the ‘family car’ rather than their own, a different filling station, or just being in a hurry and stressed out. Though once done will leave motorists stranded with a car that will require substantial repairs.

The data shows that five per cent of all misfuelling callouts relate to motorists putting diesel in a petrol car. However, with diesel nozzles being too big to fit in a petrol car’s fuel cap, motorists must be holding the nozzle over the fuel cap and letting the fuel drop in.

Chris Ransom, Customer Operations Manager at Green Flag, said: “We encourage motorists to be more vigilant about filling up to ensure they are not left stranded. It’s as simple as keeping an eye on your fuel gauge before setting off, whether it‘s a short trip or a long journey. Think of fuel in litres and not in monetary value.

“We have found that cases of mis-fuelling are more prevalent around bank holidays. If the wrong fuel is put in a car, more damage is caused if the driver attempts to drive the vehicle with the wrong fuel in it, although in many cases the damage is done as soon as the ignition is switched on. Some insurers will cover the damage, however, drivers could end up with a hefty repair bill.”


Notes to Editors:

For further information or to arrange an interview please contact:

Simon Henrick

Green Flag Press Office

Tel: 020 8313 5965

Email: simon.henrick@rbs.co.uk

*Fuel prices provided by the department of energy and climate change http://www.decc.gov.uk/assets/decc/statistics/source/prices/weeklyfuel.xls

**Ford Focus 1.6i Duratec petrol – Manual transmission Fuel efficiency (combined cycle): 42.2 mpg. 3.5 litres = 0.77 gallons, 0.77 % of 42.2miles = 32.5 miles

http://www.ford.co.uk/Cars/Focus2010/FuelEconomyandCO2Emission

***Average damage to vehicles from misfuelling calculated by Direct Line as £1033. Taking into consideration Green Flag’s market share and 2010 figures, it is predicted a total of 1244 vehicles will have the wrong fuel put in them during the August bank holiday weekend.

Green Flag

With over 30 years experience, Green Flag provides customers with rapid breakdown cover 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Customers have access to a national network of thousands of independent recovery agents in the UK and mainland Europe.

Green Flag is part of RBS Insurance, the second largest general insurer in the UK and is wholly owned by the Royal Bank of Scotland Group. Customers can find out more about Green Flag products or get a quote by calling 0845 246 1557, connecting via the Green Flag Rescue Me Application, or visiting Green Flag.

Green Flag Motoring Assistance breakdown cover is underwritten by Direct Line Insurance plc which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered office: 3 Edridge Road, Croydon, Surrey, CR9 1AG. Registered in England No. 1810801. FSA registered No. 202684. The Financial Services Authority's Register can be accessed through http://www.fsa.gov.uk.