Women drivers could be being hit with unfair charges to repair problems caused by filling up with the wrong type of fuel.

Researchers from Auto Express magazine contacted a range of garages and posed as drivers who had mistakenly put petrol in a diesel engine.

The magazine discovered some quotes were as high as £5,000 to sort the problem, which can sometimes require little more than a straightforward flush procedure.

Auto Express editor David Johns said: "This long list of inflated quotes smacks of profiteering."

Some female drivers could be being hit with massive bills, with one quote to fix a Chrysler Grand Voyager filled with petrol instead of diesel running to £5,000.

The magazine also found some more reasonable prices, with one quote to fix the mistaken filling of a Skoda totalling £110.

Some mechanics could be charging the inflated prices as accidental engine damage is covered by some car insurance policies, meaning cover providers pick up the bill.

According to the Daily Mail, Around 120,000 drivers a year put the wrong fuel in their cars and pay a total of £50 million in repairs.

Find out how foxy lady drivers save lots of money on motoring bills.

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