'I'll fight Tesco for compensation' says motorist in contaminated fuel row
A postman who claims contaminated petrol from Tesco for damaging his car is pledging to take on the supermarket giant for compensation.
Ian Jennings filled up his Vauxhall Omega at Market Weighton on Friday, August 27. Six days earlier the forecourt had been temporarily closed after 14 drivers filled up with unleaded fuel that was contaminated with water.
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Ian Jennings says Tesco petrol damaged his car.
On his way home to Kiplingcotes the car was losing power. He made it to his driveway, but then the car would not start.
Mr Jennings, 54, who has a postal round in Beverley, said: "When I was filling it up it came out very, very slowly, something told me to get a receipt. I'd been to Beverley and Driffield that day and had no problem with the car before that."
Mr Jennings called out the AA and they told him the problem was fuel contamination.
He has not had a full estimate for repairs but says one suggestion was "anything up to £2,000".
Tesco has denied responsibility for the fuel contamination. Mr Jennings is making a complaint to Trading Standards.
He said: "I spoke to the Tesco hotline in Dundee and they said they would have to investigate. But then they said it was not their responsibility.
"They eventually loaned me a hire car. But the experience ruined my Bank Holiday. And I need a car because I've got arthritis and I need to get to medical appointments.
"This is the little man taking on Tesco."
Tesco says the contamination suffered on Saturday, August 21 had been dealt with before Mr Jennings filled up the following Friday. But it provided him with a temporary hire car after he complained because he had hospital appointments to attend.
A store spokesman said: "There is no contamination in the tank, it was resolved.
"He wasn't the first to use the pumps after the problem was resolved. If there was a problem we would have had more than one complaint.
"This chap has got something wrong with his car. We'll be more than happy to cooperate with Trading Standards.
"If there was a problem with Tesco we would put our hands up."
AA spokesperson Sue Beeson said: "We called out to Mr Jennings at his home on Saturday, August 28. I can confirm that the issue was fuel contamination and it was water in the fuel tank. We arranged for Mr Jennings' car to be sorted out by Steve Fletcher Motors in Hull and that is happening today (Wed)."
14 Comments
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by Tesco employee, Scotland
Friday, September 03 2010, 1:24PM
“Why is the man holding a bottle of fuel without the appropriate warning signs.
Sack the person who gave him the fuel, not very vigilant.”
by A Hobbit, Hull
Friday, September 03 2010, 12:18PM
“Like Billy I would never use cheap petrol from supermarkets and I too use the 'green and yellow' one. Notwithstanding this I mistakenly put petrol in my diesel car which I ran for about 12 miles before realising my mistake when it started pinking.
The repair bill for this was only £128 and this included collection on a low loader and subsequent return to my home.
I think £2000 is a lot of money and suspect someone here is making a lot of gratuitous cash.
Tesco must face up to responsibility nevertheless and with the billions they have would a few amounts of compensation harm them? Are they afraid it will open the flood gates?”
by phil, East Hull
Thursday, September 02 2010, 11:01PM
“Sam - Hull , Before you have a good old rant please make sure you have the facts to hand so at least you may have an idea what you are talking about! The same stuff comes out of the refinery but each company adds their own additives or in the case of supermarkets nothing is added. This is why they are cheaper!! Also you first point of the cost of repairs, if a fuel pump was to be replaced that is around £1000 alone, then the whole system will need to be flushed, new filters, plugs, etc plus the labour costs and £2000 is about right!”
by blair-jakehead, beverley
Thursday, September 02 2010, 9:22PM
“Royal Mail are heartless employers and don't give a damn about the welfare or health and safety of their employees.”
by Ranter, Hull.
Thursday, September 02 2010, 7:46PM
“One wonders why the post office employs elderly people with arthritis to deliver our mail.
Its just cruel to evpect Mr Jennings to haul his heavy sack around all day.”
by Billy, hull
Thursday, September 02 2010, 1:20PM
“Sam, you do know that different companies add there own additives and it is no doubt at this point petrol become contaminated not at source.”
by DEA1974, Hessle
Thursday, September 02 2010, 1:02PM
“I change my car every year and after numerous problems with supermarket fuel (on different cars) I now do not use it. The tankers may contain the same fuel but if the pumps tank is contaminated then you get the problems.”
by Sam, Hull
Thursday, September 02 2010, 12:08PM
“Billy... You do know all petrol comes out of the same pipes at the same refineries don't you?
The fuel in a Tesco tanker is exactly the same fuel as that bound for a brand name filling station.”
by Sam, Hull
Thursday, September 02 2010, 12:00PM
“£2000 for repairs? I very much doubt it.”
by Billy, Hull
Thursday, September 02 2010, 10:58AM
“I always use the petrol from the company that polluted the Gulf of Mexico and I find even though a bit more costly I get more miles to the litre and the car runs better.
People will of course always want to save 1p a litre and so will take the risk of damaging their vehicles.
By the way why is Ian Jennings holding a bottle of pee?”