Lack of petrol pump accuracy may be beneficial for drivers

Lack of petrol pump accuracy may be beneficial for drivers

A report from the Automobile Association (AA) has highlighted a number of problems with petrol pumps and the counters they use, and has questioned the accuracy of their measurements. As a result of members voicing their concerns to the organisation, and complaints to trading standards, the AA conducted tests on a number of fuel pumps across the country.

However from their tests, instead of dispensing less product than indicating, it appears that some pumps at petrol stations may be giving up to 4.4% more fuel than shown on the pump counter. At current fuel prices, this could mean a saving as much as 6 pence per litre, which is a boon at this time of higher petrol prices.

The reason for all this may be that the petrol pumps on UK forecourts are a mixture of new and old technology. Trading Standards officers reported variances in amount of fuel dispensed at 4 of 38 petrol stations surveyed in Cumbria, and at 11 of 126 stations looked at in Derby.

The president of the AA, Edmund King, has said "Some drivers have been benefiting from a lucky dip at the pumps, getting more fuel than they pay for". This is a gift for many drivers, especially younger and poorer drivers, with the price of petrol for the past fortnight averaging around 134.17 pence per litre, whereas a few years ago it was a far lower 116.60 pence per litre.

A ruling by the EU is hoping to make garages and fuel stations upgrade their pumps to newer technology by November 2016, using the Measuring Instruments Directive.

You can read the full report from the AA here: http://www.theaa.com/newsroom/news-2012/petrol-pump-accuracy.html

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