David Bizley, RAC’s technical director, said: “Misfuelling is a common and costly issue –every three-and-a-half minutes a motorist makes this simple but expensive error. RAC Fuel Patrols are now able to drain and flush misfuelled vehicles at the roadside to get motorists back on their way more quickly.

“However, if the engine has been started the damage can be devastating, with repair costs of anything up to £6,000, depending on the vehicle model, but RAC Fuel Patrols are also able to recover vehicles to a garage using their rapid deployment trailer. In addition to resolving misfuelling call-outs, RAC Fuel Patrols can attend other breakdowns – a service unique to RAC.”

Motorists can contact RAC Fuel Patrol by calling 0800 051 7845. The service is not included as part of a breakdown policy, but is available as a pay-on-use service to both RAC members and non-members for £175 and £190 respectively.

Furthermore, motorists can eradicate the risk of misfuelling with FuelSure, a device specifically designed to prevent this costly blunder. FuelSure prevents the insertion of the smaller diameter petrol pump nozzle, with the adaptor replacing the existing fuel cap.