Nearly one in three UK petrol and diesel car owners have put the wrong fuel in their vehicles, according to concerning new research.
Data found that 29 per cent of drivers admitted to misfuelling their cars, bikes or vans, with experts warning that this can cause significant damage to vehicles.
Misfuelling occurs when drivers put petrol into a diesel engine or vice versa, potentially causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
The research reveals this error is far more widespread than many might expect and affects all motorists.
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Millions of drivers could be at risk of misfuelling their vehicles
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Men are more likely to make this error than women, with 33 per cent of males admitting to misfuelling compared to 23 per cent of females.
Age is also a significant factor in misfuelling incidents, with younger drivers being more likely to use the wrong fuel.
Over half of young drivers aged between 18 and 24 confessed to using the wrong pump, while just 12 per cent of motorists aged 55 and over made the same mistake.
Tom Banks, Go.Compare car insurance spokesperson, said: "Our research shows that misfuelling is a surprisingly common mistake that people make and with many car insurance policies not covering this as standard, it could be a really costly error."
The financial implications of misfuelling could be severe for many drivers, with insurance often failing to provide coverage.
Go.Compare's research revealed that 62 per cent of car insurance policies do not cover loss or damage resulting from using the wrong fuel.
This means an accidental misfuel could harm both their vehicle and their financial situation.
Standard policies typically exclude this common error, leaving motorists to cover repair costs themselves.
Without proper coverage, drivers face paying for draining and flushing their tank, plus any resulting mechanical damage.
The comparison site warns that this oversight in policy coverage could turn a simple mistake into a costly ordeal.
Banks warned that if someone does put the wrong fuel in their car, they should avoid turning the key or attempting to drive.
He said: "It's important not to turn your key in the ignition or try to drive away as this can potentially cause thousands of pounds worth of damage."
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Drivers could face expensive repair costs if they put the wrong fuel in their cars
PAMost breakdown policies will cover draining their fuel tank and garage transport if such steps are necessary.
The expert recommends checking whether breakdown cover is included in your car insurance or as a standalone protection.
"These kinds of mistakes happen more often than you might think," he added.
