What happens if you put petrol in a diesel car?
Petrol acts as a solvent in a diesel system and reduces the fuel's lubrication, which can damage the high-pressure pump and injectors if the engine is run. If you haven't started the engine, damage is usually avoided — the fuel just needs draining and the system flushing.
In an emergency: don't start the engine and call 0800 170 0644. We drain the wrong fuel on-site, 24/7, 365 days a year.
Call 0800 170 0644 24/7, 365 days a year · across the UK