Contaminated petrol problems for drivers

Drivers have said engines have been cutting out after buying petrol from supermarkets.

Garages across the area are reporting have to deal with cars that have had problems.

Trading Standards officers are looking into the problem which has affected drivers across the country but particularly in the South East.

Typical of garages across the area was Bob Pilbeam of The Martletts on the Diplocks industrial park, Hailsham.

He noted one vehicle on Saturday, two on Thursday and one on today with identical problems.

'They were running badly, misfiring all over the place.

'This affects the running of the engine and you wouldn't really know what it was unless someone told you in the first place it might be dirty fuel.'

Has it happened to you?

We want to hear from people who have suffered contamination problems.

Tell us your story by emailing letters to us.

You can ring our newsroom (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).

I live in Bexhill-on-Sea, and filled up at ASDA Eastbourne on 14th February 2007. Since then performance of the car, a FIAT Stilo 1.6 has slowly become worse with waves of acceleration and slowdown, which makes smooth and safe driving increasingly hard. I had thought it was the car, but now believe it is petrol contamination. Fortunately, I kept my receipt and after the problem is investigated I should be able to claim if petrol is the cause. What a mess! Martyn.