Gas Station Employee Mistakenly Puts 'Diesel → Gasoline'... "20% Fault for Not Checking Receipt" Sudden Blow

"Drivers Must Verify Amount and Fuel Type with Receipt"
Do Not Start Engine If Fueling Error Occurs, Inspect Immediately

An incident occurred where a gas station employee refueled with gasoline instead of diesel, causing a mixed fuel accident, and the insurance company’s judgment that "the vehicle owner also bears some responsibility" has sparked controversy.

Reference photo. Not directly related to the article.
Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

According to KBS on the 10th, last month, Mr. A, who was driving on the road after refueling at a gas station in Jeju city, experienced sudden shaking in his car and stopped by a repair shop. He said, "(The car) was shaking as if the brakes were being applied while driving," and "I was very surprised, wondering why the car suddenly behaved like that," describing the situation at the time.

Upon inspection at the repair shop, Mr. A found out that although he requested diesel from the gas station employee, gasoline was actually refueled. The estimated repair cost at the shop reached 12 million KRW.

The gas station acknowledged the employee’s mistake and said they would compensate through the insurance company. However, the insurance company held the vehicle owner, Mr. A, 10% responsible as well. They argued that the driver should have checked what type of fuel was refueled through receipts or other means, but he did not.

Attorney Han Moon-cheol explained to KBS, "When fuel is mixed like this, repair costs can be quite high," and added, "In such cases, courts consider the driver’s failure to personally verify the fuel type as about 20-30% negligence."

In the past three years, consultations regarding such mixed fuel accidents reported to the Korea Consumer Agency have exceeded 100 cases nationwide. Since severe mixed fuel accidents may require engine replacement, special caution is necessary.

The Korea Consumer Agency advised, "After refueling, it is necessary to check the amount and fuel type through the receipt," and "If you confirm that the wrong fuel was refueled, do not start the engine and get an inspection immediately to minimize damage."