TESCO and Morrisons have promised to pay for repairs to cars damaged by contaminated petrol sold in stores predominantly in the south east of England.

Tesco has printed a full-page apology in some of today’s papers, saying stores have been refuelled. Under the Sale of Goods Act 1979 motorists can claim for the petrol, any repairs and ‘consequential’ losses resulting from damage caused by the unleaded fuel.

Tests on samples of unleaded petrol from a storage facility in Essex found it to be contaminated with silicon.

Tesco is asking motorists to provide receipts for the faulty petrol bought from its stores and any car repairs carried out as a result of using it.

A receipt is not essential, with bank and credit card statements acceptable as proof of purchase.

Tesco has also set up a hotline for inquiries: 0800 028 6428.

‘We will refund any reasonable costs of having the car repaired as a direct result of Tesco fuel,’ the company says.

Morrisons said they would also refund petrol costs and repairs and said anyone who did not have receipts would be ‘supported’.

Its claims number is 0845 611 6111.

The contaminated fuel came from four tanks at a Vopak storage facility in West Thurrock, which fuel supplier Harvest Energy said contained 'unusually high levels of silicon'.

  • Helpline numbers
    Tesco: 0800 028 6428
    Morrisons: 0845 611 6111