Fuel retailer BP has confirmed a Dunedin service station sold contaminated fuel last November - with one motorist having successfully claimed compensation for repairs.
BP is offering to investigate any further claims by customers whose cars have not been running well. The BP Connect Bays Junction site in Anderson’s Bay sold contaminated fuel after diesel was put into a petroleum tank, BP corporate and external affairs manager Leigh Taylor said.
"Upon identifying the issue, the affected fuel was quarantined and removed," Ms Taylor said.
The fuel contamination issue only came to light after a tip-off to the ODT, which was confirmed by BP when contacted yesterday.
BP did not respond to questions about how many people were affected or complained, or the extent of compensation paid.
One Dunedin customer, who did not want to be identified, was concerned BP was not being proactive enough in assisting affected consumers, many of whom were likely to be living in the South Dunedin area.
"There might be people out there, families, who can’t afford to get their cars fixed," the person said.
That person had a garage bill of hundreds of dollars paid by BP, fuel replaced and use of a rental car.
"The garage told me the whole engine had to be flushed out," the motorist said.
Ms Taylor said effects on vehicles depended on how much fuel was in their tank at the time, meaning there may have been no problems through to others experiencing a change in their vehicle’s running.
She said BP would compensate customers in any instances where there were proven issues with fuel quality.
"The matter has been fully investigated, and we believe this was a one-off occurrence at this specific site," she said.
The ODT understands at least eight people were affected, but this was neither confirmed nor denied by BP.
"We believe the situation has been rectified for those customers who were affected. However, we would investigate any claim by any further customers who believe they may have been impacted," Ms Taylor said.
