An AA dip-check of a handful of petrol stations found some pumps giving up to 4.4% more fuel than shown on the pump effectively a 6ppl gift to drivers.

According to the new research from the AA, problems with an EU move to harmonise fuel measuring on forecourts mean that some pumps have been supplying more fuel than the counter indicates.

Trading Standards have this year tested fuel pumps across the country in response to driver complaints, but a rule requiring a pump to be reset even if it dispenses significantly more fuel than shown on the display means that some motorists’ moans have backfired. AA/Populus research has shown that 28% of AA members (31% among women) buy a set amount of fuel whenever they visit a petrol station. This has created paranoia among drivers whose diminishing return from their set spend has made them try to monitor how much fuel they get. Trading Standards officers have reported discrepancies at four of 38 sites in Cumbria and 11 of 216 nozzles in Derby. In Newport, just two of 353 nozzles failed one of them giving more fuel than indicated.