Trading standards officials have launched an investigation after drivers complained that they had been sold "contaminated" fuel.
Trading standards officials have launched an investigation after drivers complained that they had been sold "contaminated" fuel.
Drivers from across south-east England believe they may have been sold petrol containing ethanol, which has damaged their cars.
Drivers from across south-east England believe they may have been sold petrol containing ethanol, which has damaged their cars.
Their vehicles have been juddering, misfiring and had a loss of power.
Their vehicles have been juddering, misfiring and had a loss of power.
But the AA said tests showed ethanol was not to blame and the cause of the problem remained unknown.
Trading standards said its officials were testing a number of samples but had not yet had the results.
AA technical specialist Vanessa Guyll said drivers would notice problems with the running of their cars almost immediately, and providing they sought help quickly it was "unlikely" the contaminated petrol would cause any long-term damage to engines.
'Damaged oxygen sensors'
Ian Hillier, a petroleum spokesman for the Trading Standards Institute, said: "I understand that there have been around 75-100 complaints from people in south-east England.
Ian Hillier, a petroleum spokesman for the Trading Standards Institute, said: "I understand that there have been around 75-100 complaints from people in south-east England.
"Including ethanol in petrol is not really contaminating it, but there has be a clear warning to people who buy petrol as to exactly what is in it."
"Including ethanol in petrol is not really contaminating it, but there has be a clear warning to people who buy petrol as to exactly what is in it."
Dozens of drivers have also been contacting BBC Radio Northampton's consumer programme after filling up their cars with the allegedly contaminated fuel.
Some drivers have said that they bought "contaminated" fuel from Tesco's and Morrisons.
Dave Odell works for Tony Brooks' a garage in Northampton. He said the garage had had a number of cars with damaged oxygen sensors.
Tesco said its initial tests had not revealed any contamination, although it would continue to investigate the problem.
Some car dealerships say they are trying to repair the damaged cars, which are now off the road, but the parts they need are now in short supply.
A spokesman said: "As soon as we were alerted to a potential problem we carried out extensive tests on current and past batches of unleaded fuel, including from some of the affected vehicles, and so far have not discovered any abnormalities or contamination whatsoever."
'Thousands affected'
Oxygen sensors
Some drivers say they bought "contaminated" fuel from Tesco and Morrisons petrol stations.
AA technical specialist Vanessa Guyll said drivers would notice problems with the running of their cars almost immediately, and providing they sought help quickly, it was unlikely the "contaminated" petrol would cause any long-term damage to engines.
Tesco says it rigorously tests its fuel to the highest European standards, and sources from the same suppliers as competitors.
The RAC said the problem seemed to be particularly affecting the oxygen sensors in vehicles made by Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroen and Mercedes.
Christopher MacGowan of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said thousands of motorists had been affected, most of whom had vehicles that were more than three-years-old.
He said: "I think that we've got a corridor in east Anglia, London and the South East where somehow a dodgy batch of petrol has crept into the system."
Most of the retailers and vehicle manufacturers were testing batches of petrol, said Mr Macgowan.
He added: "In the context of over 28 million vehicles on the road, you have to keep it in proportion, but it is serious, and it's very very unpleasant for those several thousand drivers who've experienced this problem."
Hundreds of drivers have also been contacting the BBC after filling up their cars with the allegedly contaminated fuel.
Some car dealerships say they are trying to repair damaged cars, many of which are now off the road, but the parts they need are now in short supply.
Compensation
Motorist Darren Ross, 42, has complained to the Department of Trade and Industry about the problem.
Motorist Darren Ross, 42, has complained to the Department of Trade and Industry about the problem.
He buys petrol for his Saab convertible 1.8T at the Tesco superstore in Waltham Abbey, Essex, close to where he lives, and believes it led to his car breaking down.
He buys petrol for his Saab convertible 1.8T at the Tesco superstore in Waltham Abbey, Essex, close to where he lives, and believes it led to his car breaking down.
His local Saab dealership told him it was a fault with sensors and that they had had 15 other similar problems over the last week.
His local Saab dealership told him it was a fault with sensors and that they had had 15 other similar problems over the last week.
Mr Ross said the repairs are costing him £200, which is not covered by his warranty because they are linked to a fuel fault.
Mr Ross said the repairs are costing him £200, which is not covered by his warranty because they are linked to a fuel fault.
"I want compensation and reimbursement. I need my car for my work and it has been back to Saab four times in the last two weeks."
"I want compensation and reimbursement. I need my car for my work and it has been back to Saab four times in the last two weeks."
Do you think you have bought contaminated petrol? Has your car been damaged as a result? Send us your experience by filling in the form below.
Do you think you have bought contaminated petrol? Has your car been damaged as a result? Send us your experience by filling in the form below.
