How much does a wrong-fuel drain cost?
Call-outs start from £89, always fully quoted on the phone before we set off — no surprises on arrival.
Typical prices
| Situation | From | Time on site |
|---|---|---|
| Car, engine not started | £89 | 45–90 minutes |
| Engine started / fuel circulated | £149 | 1–2 hours |
| Van or large tank | £169 | 1–2 hours |
| Driven / motorway / out-of-hours | Quoted on call | On-site assessment |
Every job is fully quoted by phone before we're dispatched — the price depends on your vehicle, tank size and whether the engine was run.
Cost questions
How much does it cost to drain a fuel tank in the UK?
Mobile wrong-fuel drains typically start from around £89 for a call-out and rise depending on vehicle, tank size and whether the engine was run. You should always be quoted the full price by phone before anyone is dispatched.
How much do the AA, RAC and Green Flag charge for wrong fuel?
Charges vary by provider and whether misfuel cover is on your policy; non-members can pay a premium call-out. A direct independent drain is often quicker to reach you and clearly priced up front — always compare before committing.
How much does it cost to fix wrong fuel in a car?
If caught before the engine is run, the cost is usually just the drain (from around £89). If the engine was run and components are damaged, garage repairs can run into the hundreds or thousands — which is exactly why you shouldn't start it.
Is a fuel drain cheaper than a garage repair?
Almost always — provided you don't start the engine. A mobile drain starts from around £89, while running the wrong fuel can damage the pump and injectors and lead to garage bills in the hundreds or thousands. Not starting the engine is what keeps it cheap.
Is there a call-out fee for wrong fuel?
The call-out is included in the price, which starts from around £89 for a car where the engine wasn't started. You're quoted the full figure on the phone before a technician sets off — there's no separate hidden fee added at the roadside.
Does it cost more if I started the engine?
It can. If the engine was run, the fuel has circulated and the job may take longer, and there's a risk of damage that needs a garage. Caught before starting, it's usually just the standard drain.
How much does it cost to drain a van?
Vans usually cost a little more than cars because the tanks are bigger (often 70–90 litres), so there's more fuel to remove. You'll be quoted the exact price on the phone before dispatch.
Why does wrong fuel cost so much to fix?
A simple drain is inexpensive (from around £89). The big costs only appear if the engine was run and the fuel system is damaged — replacing a diesel high-pressure pump and injectors is what turns a cheap job into an expensive one. That's why the advice is always: don't start the engine.
How much does it cost to drain a diesel car?
Draining petrol from a diesel car starts from around £89 if the engine wasn't started. The price depends on tank size and whether the engine was run, and it's fully quoted before we set off.
Are there extra charges out of hours or on the motorway?
Night, out-of-hours and motorway jobs are quoted individually on the call because they take more to reach safely. Whatever the situation, you get the full price before a technician is dispatched.