This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6406801.stm

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
Petrol firms say fuel not faulty Petrol firms say fuel not faulty
(40 minutes later)
Petrol retailers have insisted that their fuel is not faulty, despite hundreds of complaints that cars have broken down after leaving forecourts.Petrol retailers have insisted that their fuel is not faulty, 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.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 they had been sold "contaminated" fuel.Trading standards officials have launched an investigation after drivers in south-east England said they had been sold "contaminated" fuel.
Motorists believe they may have been sold petrol containing ethanol.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.
I've been in this industry for over 30 years and I don't remember anything like this happening before Ray Holloway,Petrol Retailers Association Ray Holloway interviewI've been in this industry for over 30 years and I don't remember anything like this happening before Ray Holloway,Petrol Retailers Association Ray Holloway interview
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 but had so far been unable to 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."
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.
Independent oil company Greenergy said tests on the fuel it supplied to Tesco and Morrisons showed it met industry standards.Independent oil company Greenergy said tests on the fuel it supplied to Tesco and Morrisons showed it met industry standards.
Asda said it had received about 20 complaints, all relating to cars from the higher end of the market with fuel management systems.Asda said it had received about 20 complaints, all relating to cars from the higher end of the market with fuel management systems.
The company said tests carried out so far had proved inconclusive.The company said tests carried out so far had proved inconclusive.
Trading standards said its officials were also testing a number of unleaded samples and the results were expected on Friday.Trading standards said its officials were also testing a number of unleaded samples and the results were expected on Friday.
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 class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6407263.stm">Petrol questions answered
The BBC has received more than 2,000 e-mails from motorists who say their vehicles may have been affected.The BBC has received more than 2,000 e-mails from motorists who say their vehicles may have been affected.
Most came form an area covering London and parts of east and south-east England and many reported buying petrol from forecourts at supermarkets. Most came from an area covering London and parts of east and south-east England and many reported buying petrol from forecourts at supermarkets.
But problems have also been reported by motorists in other areas including Milton Keynes, Aberdeen, Manchester, Newcastle and Preston. But problems have also been reported by motorists in other areas including Aberdeen, Manchester, Newcastle and Preston.
Tesco and Morrisons have been mentioned most frequently but motorists have also said they bought petrol from Asda and Sainsburys. Tesco and Morrisons have been mentioned most frequently but motorists have also said they bought petrol from Asda and Sainsbury's.
The UK Petroleum Industry Association said reports suggested the source could be a batch of fuel supplied to some large independent retail sites. The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said motorists affected by contaminated petrol should be able to claim for accidental damage if they have comprehensive cover.
The RAC said the problem seemed to be particularly affecting the oxygen sensors in vehicles. Repair bills
Oxygen sensors are attached to the exhaust and determine the mix of oxygen and petrol supplied to the engine. The problems seem to be centred on oxygen sensors in vehicles.
The sensors are attached to the exhaust and determine the mix of oxygen and petrol supplied to the engine.
Garages are running out of replacement parts in some areas as they are swamped with motorists. Repair bills are topping £1,000 for some drivers.
The UK Petroleum Industry Association said the problem could have arisen because of the way a batch of fuel was blended or stored.
A spokesman said the problem appeared to be with a localised batch of fuel and petrol across the UK was generally not faulty.
It started misfiring and juddering Jonathan EarlMotorist Drivers tell of fury More of your storiesIt started misfiring and juddering Jonathan EarlMotorist Drivers tell of fury More of your stories
Ray Holloway, of the Petrol Retailers Association, said garages had told him the problems may have been around for a week, so the exact cause might not be found.Ray Holloway, of the Petrol Retailers Association, said garages had told him the problems may have been around for a week, so the exact cause might not be found.
"I've been in this industry for over 30 years and I don't remember anything like this happening before, and therefore to give you a cause is very difficult at this stage.""I've been in this industry for over 30 years and I don't remember anything like this happening before, and therefore to give you a cause is very difficult at this stage."
Proof of purchase Michelle Shambrook from advice service Consumer Direct told the BBC that motorists who think they have been affected must have proof of purchase to be able to make a claim and should keep receipts.
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.
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.
They should take their vehicles to an independent garage to have the contamination confirmed.They should take their vehicles to an independent garage to have the contamination confirmed.