Member Article

Faulty petrol pumps benefit consumers

Petrol retailers have expressed concern after some pumps have been found to yield up to 4.4% more petrol than shown on the dial. This mistake is giving drivers a freebie of 6p per litre.

Figures coming from an ‘AA dip check’ of petrol stations have suggested that these issues have arisen after an EU change to pump equipment approval.

This ruling has led to discrepancies between different pumps, in a transitional period as stations switch from the current National Approval pumps to Measuring Instruments Directive (MID) approved pumps.

The survey was carried out after a reported “customer paranoia” about over spending, as 28% of AA members said they buy a set amount of fuel when they fill up their cars.

An unexpected result shows that drivers are, in fact, being given more than they have paid for, with Trading Standards reporting inaccuracies at pumps in Cumbria, Derby, and Newport.

Only a small selection of petrol stations have been tested, but this could suggest that stations around the country are encountering similar problems.

Edmund King, President of the AA commented: “Following concern from members, the AA carried out preliminary tests at a handful of fuel stations to see if there were grounds for a more comprehensive survey. Not only did all the pumps dispense at least the right amount, but most gave even more,”

“Trading Standards warn that some drivers compare the fuel volume showing at the pump with what they can read off their in-car instruments, although the latter are designed purely as a guide. Consequently, there is an irony that some drivers who complain may be acting against their own interests.”

Although some consumers have unknowingly been benefitting from these discrepancies, it is the retailer who has ultimately been losing out.

Petrol stations will be required to change over their equipment by October 2016, however these findings may encourage retailers to invest quickly so as not to lose out on giving away fuel to customers.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .