14 DAY TRIAL // British businessman Alan Thompson borrowed a friend’s Porsche Cayenne over the weekend and wanted to thank her by returning the car with a full tank, but he accidentally filled it with the wrong fuel and left the owner with a £15,000 ($25,250/€18,430) repair bill.
As a sign of gratitude, the well-meaning businessman wanted to fill the vehicle's tank, so he went to a gas station to do so. But his good intention turned bad when he pumped petrol into the 4x4 car unaware that it actually ran on diesel.
Elizabeth Moulton, the owner of the Cayenne, noticed immediately there was something wrong with the car, so she took it to a local dealership for repairs.
“I wanted to take it back with a full tank,” Mr. Thompson said, according to Daily Mail. “She drove off and I had no idea there was a problem. It is a common and very easy mistake to make especially when you get to my age, when one frequently makes mistakes.”
Realizing it was his fault, Alan offered to pay for the damage, but he was left gasping when Porsche claimed repairs would cost nearly £15,000 ($25,250/€18,430). The garage in Stratford, East London, said a lot of car parts needed to be replaced after the fuel mishap, including the fuel pumps, fuel lines, distributor, high-pressure injectors and even the fuel tank. They also mentioned an additional £4,200 ($7,000/€5,160) for labor.
However, both Alan and Elizabeth considered the sum too steep and decided to phone other Porsche dealers, who quoted them from £5,000 to £10,000 ($8,400/€6,100 to $16,800/€12,200).
The Ridgeway Garage, in Enfield, North London, eventually solved the problem for just £1,000 ($1,680/€1,220). They reportedly flushed the petrol out of the engine and fit a new fuel filter.
“We all make mistakes but I do object to being ripped-off to such a ludicrous extent by Porsche who I have found to be unsympathetic, inefficient and unhelpful,” the 64-year-old man added.
On the other hand, Mrs. Moulton said she was equally angry with Porsche for their exaggerated estimation of the repairs cost, and added her Cayenne was now running perfectly.
“I was dumbstruck when I was told the cost, I didn't know what to say or do. I couldn't be furious with Alan but I was furious with Porsche. I just thought ‘for goodness sake,’” she said.
Mr. Thompson, who normally drives a Mercedes, said Mercedes dealers charge a standard £450 ($760 or €550) when mix-ups like this one happen to their cars.