City of Wolverhampton Council’s Trading Standards team has been testing petrol pumps across the city to ensure that residents aren’t receiving short measures when they buy fuel.
Officers carried out 250 accuracy and pricing checks at different sites across Wolverhampton to make sure motorists were being treated fairly.
Roadside displays were checked at each site to ensure they matched the prices at the pump and detailed till audits were carried out to ensure that payments matched the amounts dispensed.
During the course of the checks, 3 pumps were found to be giving short measure. These were disqualified by the inspector conducting the checks and taken out of use.
Following adjustments, the pumps were then retested and put back into service.
Officers also found 2 pumps giving excess fuel and the site was advised to correct this to ensure future measurements are accurate.
Councillor Steve Evans, cabinet member for city environment and climate change at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “Testing petrol pumps for accuracy is particularly important as, unlike most things people buy according to weight or volume, people can’t actually see the amount of fuel that goes into their vehicle’s tank.
“Motorists have to rely on the display at the pump and these checks have been carried out to identify and correct any inaccuracies.
“We’re seeing a significant rise in inflation and the cost of living crisis is having a huge impact everywhere. Fuel prices are affecting people going to work, parents taking children to school, carers visiting clients, our businesses and our voluntary sector organisations.
“We need to do as much as we can to help people during this time and this citywide testing will make sure our motorists can be confident that they are getting what they pay for at the pump.”
If residents have a concern about short measures of fuel they can contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.
