02/03/2007

Results due on petrol tests

The results of tests carried out on fuel have failed to establish conclusively the cause for a rash of failures of oxygen sensors on engine management systems.

Motorists were left with repair bills of hundreds of pounds and it was suspected that a batch of contaminated fuel may have been responsible for the engine problems in vehicles in the south and east of England.

Trading Standards are to continue testing fuel samples and although traces of silicone was discovered in petrol taken from some of the cars affected, suppliers have stressed that this is not in excess of permissible levels in fuel.

Most of the cars affected experienced problems with the oxygen sensors, which determine the mix of oxygen and petrol supplied to the engine.

The penalty for supplying fuel which does not meet industry standards is a £5,000 fine.

(EF/SP)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

12 November 2012
MPs To Vote On Fuel Rise Delay
MPs will vote on Monday evening on plans to increase fuel duty by 3 pence a litre in January. Labour have said "it would be wrong" to bring the new rise in s soon an want it delayed until at least April. Conservative MPs concerned about the cost of petrol said they believed Chancellor George Osborne was "in listening mode" over the issue.
19 March 2008
Countdown For Fuel Payments For Pensioners
Over 60s who haven't yet claimed the Winter Fuel Payment have just days to get in touch with The Pension Service to receive help with energy costs. Pensions Minister Mike O'Brien urged older people to get their claim forms in the post before 28 March. The Winter Fuel Payment is £200 for the over 60s rising to £300 for the over 80s.
07 September 2005
Fuel protests threatened
Protestors have threatened to begin blockading refineries next week, if the tax on fuel is not reduced. Andrew Spence, a spokesperson for the Fuel Lobby, warned that the blockades would begin at 6am on September 14, unless price cuts were made.
24 June 2005
British Airways announces ticket price rises
British Airways (BA) has announced an increase in fuel surcharge on ticket prices, due to increasing oil price rises. The longhaul fuel surcharge will increase to £48 per return trip, while the surcharge for shorthaul flights will rise to £16 for a return trip, for all tickets purchased from June 27.
24 April 2008
Report Shows Government Is Failing Pensioners In Fuel Poverty
The Government is failing pensioners and poor families in fuel poverty, according to a coalition of Age Concern, Child Poverty Action Group, and National Energy Action.