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You put diesel in your petrol car or petrol in your diesel and assume your breakdown cover will simply handle it. This is a common assumption, but the reality is different. Most standard policies treat misfuelling as driver error, so the drain and flush are often not included as standard, even if you pay for breakdown cover every year.
The good news is you can check your own cover in a couple of minutes, and this article shows you exactly how, along with what to do next, whatever the outcome. Our mobile technician can attend your vehicle wherever it is parked, drain the incorrect fuel safely, and provide full documentation of the work carried out.
If you need help right now, call 0800 246 5297 or find out more about wrong fuel recovery before you decide your next step.
The truth: most standard policies exclude wrong fuel
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Most standard breakdown policies do not treat wrong fuel as a breakdown at all. A breakdown is usually seen as an unexpected mechanical or electrical fault, but misfuelling happens because of a mistake at the pump. This distinction matters, because it shapes what your policy actually pays for.
In practice, this means a basic breakdown provider may still recover your car or arrange a tow to a garage. But the fuel drain itself, clearing contaminated fuel from the fuel system and fuel tank, is often treated as a separate job with a separate cost.
Some providers do offer wrong fuel cover or misfuelling cover, but this is usually an optional add-on or part of a higher tier, not standard roadside assistance. Cover for wrong fuel assistance and wrong fuel recovery varies widely between policies.
Checking your own documents takes about two minutes and tells you exactly where you stand.
What misfuelling cover is, and how to check yours in two minutes
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Misfuelling cover, sometimes called fuel assist or a fuel drain benefit, pays for draining and flushing your fuel system if you put the wrong fuel in. Some policies also include a set amount of replacement fuel.
This cover usually sits as an optional extra, or it’s included only on higher tiers of breakdown cover rather than the most basic level. This is why two people with the same provider can have different cover.
To check yours, open your policy booklet or log into your online account. Search the document for the words ‘misfuelling’, ‘wrong fuel’ or ‘fuel assist’.
Look at the cover level or tier you’re actually on, not the top tier shown in adverts. Note any limit on the amount covered or the fuel included.
If you hold cover with a provider such as the AA, RAC or Green Flag, the same rule applies. Check your specific tier and the wording, since providers structure this differently.
If you cannot find it within two minutes, assume you’re not covered and plan accordingly. Either way, our specialist can still attend, and checking first means no time wasted.
Calling a general breakdown line vs a specialist drain
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If you report a misfuel to a general breakdown line without misfuel cover, your car is often towed to a local garage first. The fuel drain itself is then arranged separately, sometimes at an extra cost, because it wasn’t part of the original callout.
That means a tow, a wait at the garage, and a separate bill to work out.
Our specialist mobile drain service works differently. Our technician comes to your car wherever it’s parked, whether that’s on a petrol station forecourt or the roadside. We drain the contaminated fuel, flush the system, and refill it with the right fuel type. You drive away from the same spot.
The real difference isn’t a number on a page. It’s the number of steps. One route involves several handovers between breakdown line, tow truck, and garage. The other is a single visit.
We’re Scotland’s only independent PAS43 certified specialist for this kind of recovery. We’re fully insured and provide a written job report for every job. Call 0800 246 5297, or find out more about our wrong fuel recovery service.
If your policy covers it, how to claim with our documentation
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If your policy includes misfuelling cover, you should use it. Our specialist drain can still go ahead alongside your claim.
We provide a written job report with every recovery. This sets out the vehicle details, the date, the location, and what was done, whether you have a petrol car, a diesel car, or a diesel engine that needed draining before diesel fuel could damage the fuel pump or fuel injectors.
This report is the kind of documentation insurers and breakdown providers usually ask for. Keep it along with any receipt, then follow your provider’s own claims process, as each one differs slightly.
The documentation supports your claim. It does not guarantee the outcome, as this depends entirely on your policy terms.
If you’re unsure what your insurer needs, call us on 0800 246 5297, and we can talk through what the report covers.
The hidden cost of waiting for insurance confirmation
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If you’ve misfuelled, you might spend time on hold or waiting for a callback to check whether your car insurance policy or breakdown policy covers a fuel drain. Meanwhile, the car sits there, still contaminated.
The waiting itself isn’t what causes damage. What matters most is whether the engine gets started and run on the wrong fuel. Keep it switched off, and no further harm occurs.
The real risk is temptation. The longer you wait, the more tempting it becomes to start the engine and move the car, or even drive it. That’s the moment a simple drain can turn into something more serious.
Checking your cover is worth the two minutes it takes. But leaving a misfuelled car sitting for hours while you chase confirmation from your insurance provider isn’t a sensible trade-off. Keeping the engine off matters more than who ends up paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below you’ll find clear answers on how breakdown cover treats misfuelling, what to do if you’ve put petrol in a diesel car, and what recovery typically costs when you’re not covered.
Does breakdown cover include misfuelling or putting the wrong fuel in your car?
Most standard breakdown cover does not include misfuelling, as providers often treat it as driver error rather than a mechanical fault. Where help is available, it’s usually an add-on or higher tier, so check your own policy wording.
What should you do if you have put petrol in a diesel car?
Do not start the engine and do not turn the key, even to check the fuel gauge. Petrol in a diesel engine causes more damage than diesel in a petrol engine, but no harm occurs while the car stays off, so call us for a mobile drain.
Will breakdown cover pay for draining and flushing the fuel system?
Often not, as the drain and flush are frequently excluded even when a tow to a garage is included in your policy. Check whether your specific tier lists are misfuelled or fuel-assisted by name.
How much does wrong-fuel recovery usually cost without cover?
Cost depends on your vehicle and how much contaminated fuel has entered the tank and fuel lines. We charge no call-out fee and confirm the price before starting work. Call 0800 246 5297 for a quote.
Can you drive a car after putting a small amount of the wrong fuel in it?
No, even a small amount of the wrong fuel should be drained rather than driven on. Driving on it, even briefly, can turn a simple drain into a costly repair, so don’t dilute the tank or guess.
