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| Petrol retailers say fuel is safe | Petrol retailers say fuel is safe |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Petrol retailers have insisted that their fuel is safe, despite hundreds of complaints that cars have broken down after leaving forecourts. | Petrol retailers have insisted that their fuel is safe, despite hundreds of complaints that cars have broken down after leaving forecourts. |
| Both Tesco and Morrisons said they had carried out tests but had been unable to find any problems with their fuel. | |
| Trading standards officials have launched an investigation after drivers in south-east England said that they had been sold "contaminated" fuel. | Trading standards officials have launched an investigation after drivers in south-east England said that they had been sold "contaminated" fuel. |
| Motorists believe they may have been sold petrol containing ethanol. | |
| Their say their vehicles have juddered, misfired and suffered a loss of power. | Their say their vehicles have juddered, misfired and suffered a loss of power. |
| The RAC said the problem seemed to be particularly affecting the oxygen sensors in vehicles. | The RAC said the problem seemed to be particularly affecting the oxygen sensors in vehicles. |
| Oxygen sensors are attached to the exhaust and determine the mix of oxygen and petrol supplied to the engine. | Oxygen sensors are attached to the exhaust and determine the mix of oxygen and petrol supplied to the engine. |
| At this stage we can't trace the problem back to Tesco fuel Jonathan Church, Tesco media director | |
| The BBC has received more than 1,000 e-mails from motorists who say their vehicles may have been affected. | The BBC has received more than 1,000 e-mails from motorists who say their vehicles may have been affected. |
| Independent oil company Greenergy said it was testing fuel supplied to Tesco and Morrisons to see if it was faulty. | Independent oil company Greenergy said it was testing fuel supplied to Tesco and Morrisons to see if it was faulty. |
| Greenergy, which supplies "greener" fuels, said its "extensive" tests on the batch of fuel supplied to Tesco and Morrisons showed that it met industry standards, but it was continuing its investigation. | Greenergy, which supplies "greener" fuels, said its "extensive" tests on the batch of fuel supplied to Tesco and Morrisons showed that it met industry standards, but it was continuing its investigation. |
| A spokeswoman said the fuel contained up to 5% bio-ethanol, which was within permitted limits. | A spokeswoman said the fuel contained up to 5% bio-ethanol, which was within permitted limits. |
| The company added in a statement: "Greenergy has been made aware that some drivers using our fuels are experiencing some problems. We take this very seriously." | The company added in a statement: "Greenergy has been made aware that some drivers using our fuels are experiencing some problems. We take this very seriously." |
| Widespread tests | |
| Jonathan Church, Tesco's media director, said the company was testing fuel from a terminal in Essex. | |
| "We've tested and re-tested including from some of the vehicles that have had reported problems and we actually can't find an issue. | |
| "So at this stage we can't trace the problem back to Tesco fuel. That said, obviously we're continuing to work with our supplier to see if we can find a problem and if there is one we'll let customers know." | |
| Morrisons also issued a statement following the complaints. The chain insisted it had found nothing wrong with fuel bought from its stores. | |
| "Morrisons suppliers test every batch of unleaded petrol to ensure that it meets British and European standards." | |
| Trading standards said its officials were also testing a number of samples but had not yet had the results. | Trading standards said its officials were also testing a number of samples but had not yet had the results. |
| 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 to 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 to be a clear warning to people who buy petrol as to exactly what is in it." |
| The penalty for supplying fuel which does not meet industry standards is a £5,000 fine. | The penalty for supplying fuel which does not meet industry standards is a £5,000 fine. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY One of these stations had strange additives in their fuel Michael Gibson, West Byfleet Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY One of these stations had strange additives in their fuel Michael Gibson, West Byfleet Send us your comments |
| Jonathan Church, Tesco's media director, said the company was testing fuel from a terminal in Essex. | Jonathan Church, Tesco's media director, said the company was testing fuel from a terminal in Essex. |
| "We've tested and re-tested including from some of the vehicles that have had reported problems and we actually can't find an issue. | "We've tested and re-tested including from some of the vehicles that have had reported problems and we actually can't find an issue. |
| "So at this stage we can't trace the problem back to Tesco fuel. That said, obviously we're continuing to work with our supplier to see if we can find a problem and if there is one we'll let customers know." | "So at this stage we can't trace the problem back to Tesco fuel. That said, obviously we're continuing to work with our supplier to see if we can find a problem and if there is one we'll let customers know." |
| Morrisons also issued a statement following the complaints. The chain insisted it had found nothing wrong with fuel bought from its stores. | Morrisons also issued a statement following the complaints. The chain insisted it had found nothing wrong with fuel bought from its stores. |
| "Morrisons suppliers test every batch of unleaded petrol to ensure that it meets British and European standards." | "Morrisons suppliers test every batch of unleaded petrol to ensure that it meets British and European standards." |
| 'Dodgy batch' | 'Dodgy batch' |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| It started misfiring and juddering Jonathan EarlMotorist Drivers tell of fury More of your stories | It started misfiring and juddering Jonathan EarlMotorist Drivers tell of fury More of your stories |
| 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. | 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. |
| "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," 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," he added. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Michelle Shambrook from advice service Consumer Direct told the BBC that motorists affected would be able to claim for the damage caused. | Michelle Shambrook from advice service Consumer Direct told the BBC that motorists affected would be able to claim for the damage caused. |
| She added: "Trading Standards have tested a number of samples both from the vehicles that have been affected but also from the pumps in question. | |
| "They are waiting for the results of these at the moment so we have got no clear confirmation that there is definitely a contamination issue." | |
| She added that motorists who think they have been affected must have proof of purchase to be able to make a claim and should keep receipts. | |
| She also advised motorists to take their vehicles to an independent garage to have the contamination confirmed. |