Outrage as Asda among petrol stations ripping off motorists
A new report has claimed petrol stations are "ripping off” drivers, dispensing less fuel than road users have paid for in a major blow. An investigation from The Telegraph has found a series of pump failures, with major retailer Asda among those said to be affected. Short measures refer to a petrol or diesel pump dispensing a lesser quantity of fuel than what the customer has initially paid for or what is recorded on the meter. It comes as motorists are already battling high petrol and diesel prices due to disruption in the Middle East.
TL;DR
- Petrol stations are reportedly "ripping off" drivers by dispensing less fuel than paid for.
- A Telegraph investigation found pump failures affecting major retailer Asda and Welcome Break services.
- Fuel dispensers have a small margin of error (0.5%), but some pumps exceeded this limit.
- Council trading standards offices admit they are not keeping up with regular forecourt inspections.
- Examples include a dispenser at Asda Express delivering 76ml less per 10 litres and two pumps at Welcome Break showing shortfalls of 170ml and 120ml per 20 litres.
- Welcome Break stated faulty pumps were immediately taken out of service, and Asda attributed issues to normal meter drift, with a faulty pump repaired and passed inspection.
- The AA's head of roads policy stated motorists are being "ripped off," potentially impacting tight budgets.