Petrol in a Diesel

[greg271]

My wife put a full tank of petrol in our 2.7 TD car. Thankfully she stop driving the car a few miles down the road from the garage where she filled up after the car started stuttering. Called out breakdown company who was a local garage, they said they could flush the car and would take a few hours so she agreed. My question is; it cost �190 which included new filter, flush through, test drive and disposal of petrol that was drained. To me that seems VERY high for for what was 1.5 hours labour. Have I been ripped off?

[JudgeJ]

Most garages charge about �80 an hour these days. Add a few parts (extortionately priced by the manufacturers), a bit for overheads, and �30 worth of VAT for the Exchequer to redistribute among the needy, and you're soon there! 

[jake-the-peg]

Rather depends on where you went - and you haven't said what the car was. If it's a "premium brand" like Mercedes or Jaguar and you went to a main dealer you're probably doing well not to have needed a second mortgage. 

 This question comes up at least once a month - some people have had quotes running into 4 figures.

Given that your wife drove the car enough for it to start stuttering I'd say you've got away very lightly   

[Ward-Minter]

Divorce her.

[ianess]

You're at it again with your extreme views Ward-Minter.
Be realistic and work it out based on economics........it would be cheaper to murder her!

[Gef]

Why did you let her have the car in the first place?

[carolyn kus]

No, consider yourself very lucky, if she had driven on for much longer untold damage would have been done costing you thousands!!! not to mention the solicitors costs for the divorce if she had!!  buy the silly cow a pushbike!!!

[qapmoc]

Hi greg,  ignore the comments about murder, the chances of getting away with it is very slim,  seriously though this is a problem which you can't really blame her for, seems to happen a lot.

Around here many people these days put a DIESEL label on or above the filler flap, doesn't look too bad and might stop the problem again! 

[cleedaub1]

Had the same problem myself a few years back (1998) except I couldn't blame my wife! It cost me �90 then, so in view of inflation, �190 isn't too excessive.

[typhoid2]

lmao, personally I think that you got off lightly considering the car could have been completely fuc*ed, we woman really do not do ourselves any favours sometimes!!!