Tanker Driver's Blunder: Fills Fuel Depot with Diesel Instead of Petrol, Stranding 96 Police Cars!

A BUNGLING tanker driver took a fleet of almost 100 police cars off the road by filling up a fuel depot with diesel instead of petrol.

As well as patrol cars, high-powered armed response and tactical aid vehicles were hit — including BMWs, Audis, Volvos and Subarus worth up to £100,000 each.

Police vehicles including armed response cars were taken off the road after a diesel mix-up at a Greater Manchester depot Credit: Getty A bungling tanker driver filled a petrol tank up with diesel Credit: EPA

The Sun understands 96 Greater Manchester vehicles conked out after refuelling at the depot in Openshaw.

Using the wrong fuel can ruin the engine and leave the vehicle wrecked.

One officer told The Sun: “A lot of us were confused because cars were going to get fuel and then disappearing from use.

“There was talk of the cost being in the millions because so many had to come off the road and there were worries some could be write-offs.

“But apparently, they have managed to repair them all.

“Still, it is amazing so much damage can be caused by just one mistake.”

All the vehicles returned to service within five days, with 75 per cent back on the roads in three.

The force did not have to borrow cars from neighbouring forces and said its “performance was not impacted”.

It is now understood to be in negotiations with the fuel supplier to work out who pays for the repairs after May’s blunder.

A GMP spokesperson said: “On Wednesday 6 May 2026, a fuel tank at GMP’s bunker was contaminated due to a refuelling error by an external company.

Work took place to resolve the error, which has now been resolved.

Performance was not impacted, and all of the vehicles affected were serviced and quickly returned to operational activity.”