Insurers have started to pay out those allegedly impacted by “contaminated fuel” after filling up at a petrol garage.

Dozens of motorists have reported experiencing problems with their vehicles after buying unleaded at Morrisons in Knight Road, Strood.

Earlier this year, Morrisons announced all its petrol stations had been taken on by another company, Motor Fuel Group (MFG).

While the company has not yet responded to KentOnline following a number of reports of damaged cars, it has been telling several customers that insurers would be in touch.

David Abernethy previously told KentOnline how he put £65 of fuel in his Range Rover at the petrol station on September 25 before noticing something was wrong the next morning.

On Tuesday, October 8, he received an email from insurers Willis Towers Watson which said “liability [would] not be an issue”.

However, the following Monday he received a quote for £424.99 which he refused as it did not cover all his costs.

He explained: “I spoke to Citizens Advice on Friday and they forwarded me a template to forward on to the insurers which mentioned Consumer Rights Act 2015.

"Within an hour I got an email from the insurers saying they’d reviewed my case and that they were going to pay me the £534.43 which I’d requested.”

David signed the document on Saturday, sent it off, and is now waiting to receive the money.

He added: “I'm quite happy with it, all I was after was what I’d actually spent.

"The two or three days without a car was an inconvenience but we got around it so it’s a relief."

David had to get 65 litres of fuel drained from his car after it started having issues. He was also advised by the AA to fill up with unleaded premium.

He has been compensated for his original fuel purchase, repairs and contribution towards refuelling of the vehicle following the tank drainage.

KentOnline has been contacted by 16 drivers to date who filled up at the petrol station and believe they were impacted, however the number is thought to be far higher.

Several have been contacted by the insurers and still are waiting to hear back about compensation.

A mechanic who works at a garage in Strood, who did not wish to be named, says he has had “about 10 people” come in who had to get their cars drained after filling up at the petrol station.

He believes the fuel was “definitely contaminated”.

As of Thursday (October 17) pumps three, four, seven and eight were all still out of use.

Is supermarket fuel different to normal fuel?

- Petrol bought from supermarkets such as Morrisons tends to be cheaper than branded fuels as they set their prices to compete with each other.

- While supermarket fuels have to meet certain British and European safety standards, they may not contain the same additives as branded fuel, which can negatively impact engine performance and fuel efficiency.

- Branded fuel is usually of better quality and more beneficial for cars in the long run, however it depends on the type of vehicle.

- But, there is usually no downside to filling your car up at a supermarket and it should not damage your car

MFG and Willis Towers Watson have been approached for comment.