18.06.2026 15:30
In Kayseri, a driver whose diesel car was mistakenly filled with gasoline, causing the engine to catch fire, won his legal battle. The Kayseri Consumer Arbitration Committee deemed the service provided by the station as "defective" and ruled that the driver be paid a total of 64,172 TL, covering repair costs, replacement vehicle, tow truck, and fuel expenses.
A legal battle by a driver in Kayseri, whose engine was damaged due to incorrect fuel being put into his vehicle, has resulted in a landmark decision closely concerning millions of vehicle owners in Turkey. The Consumer Arbitration Committee ruled against the fuel station that caused damage to the vehicle by filling it with gasoline instead of diesel (motorin), ordering the station to refund all expenses to the driver.
ENGINE FAILED, STRANDED ON THE ROAD
The incident occurred in the central Kocasinan district of Kayseri. Shortly after refueling his car at a gas station, driver Ü.A. was stranded on the road due to an engine failure warning. The unfortunate driver pulled his vehicle over to the emergency lane and had it towed to an authorized service center. Technical inspections and laboratory analyses at the service center revealed that the diesel vehicle had been mistakenly filled with gasoline instead of motorin, causing serious damage to the engine components.
COMMITTEE RULED 'DEFECTIVE SERVICE': COMPENSATION TO BE PAID
Following the incident, Ü.A. applied to the Kayseri Consumer Arbitration Committee with service reports and invoices, demanding that the station cover all his expenses. After reviewing the application and the expert report, the committee determined that the fuel station had provided a 'defective service' to the consumer by dispensing the wrong fuel. The decision, which carries the weight of a court ruling, ordered the station to pay the driver the following amounts:
- Engine damage cost: 57,965 TL
- Replacement vehicle fee: 3,287 TL
- Towing fee: 1,920 TL
- Refund for incorrectly filled fuel: 1,000 TL
- Total Amount to be Paid: 64,172 TL
'THIS METHOD DOES NOT VOID THE COMPREHENSIVE INSURANCE'
Commenting on the decision, the victim's lawyer, Mevlid Emin Balcıoğlu, noted that anyone owning a fossil-fuel-powered vehicle could face this situation at any time. Stating that systemic or personnel errors at stations are common, Balcıoğlu outlined the following roadmap for drivers: 'In such cases, our citizens can apply either to their comprehensive insurance company or to the Consumer Arbitration Committees. However, when they directly seek their rights through the Consumer Arbitration Committee, their vehicle's comprehensive insurance remains unaffected. This way, they can claim compensation directly from the fuel station without losing their no-claim discounts. Considering there are millions of drivers in Turkey, this decision is a very important safeguard for everyone.'