Warning to drivers to stop filling petrol tanks after the first click

Drivers are being warned to stop filling up their tank once the pump clicks to a halt for the first time. At best motorists could be wasting money while at worst they could be causing their vehicle £500 of damage.

Graham Conway, managing director of UK leasing firm Select Car Leasing, said that although squeezing the fuel pump after the first click - known as 'topping off' - might seem worthwhile to round up to the nearest pound, it 'really isn't.' He explained: “That’s because it’s likely to still dispense some fuel that won’t end up in your tank.

"If you ignore the first click you could be filling past the top of the fuel tank port, and that extra fuel will end up running into the small drain under the entry and onto the ground beneath your vehicle. On some pumps the extra fuel may be sucked back into the pipe.

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"This means you are paying the petrol station to give them back their own fuel. A more serious issue, one that could damage your car and cost you serious cash, is connected to the vapour recovery system.

“This prevents evaporated petrol or diesel escaping when you release the petrol cap to fill up, capturing it in a charcoal canister instead. But if you are forcing surplus petrol or diesel into the tank, this can propel liquid fuel into the pipes and damage the vapour recovery system.

“That means you will soon see warning lights on your dashboard and run the risk of failing emissions tests. You’ll also be looking at an expensive repair bill, possibly up to £500. That’s something definitely worth avoiding during the current cost of living crisis.”

People will sometimes try to squeeze in a few more pence of petrol or