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Original poster

Nanny ran out of petrol

28 replies

namelessposter · 27/04/2014 17:16

So.. following on from my thread a fortnight ago, where our (otherwise good) nanny pranged the car twice in 6 weeks, today she had the bad luck to run out of petrol. She called me 10am to report that the car had broken down, (we were away for the weekend, she was using the car in private time for personal errands, which is allowed) so I called a breakdown service and had her recovered home.

Having chatted with her now, the fuel light came on during her outbound journey, and the car stopped around 20 miles later. She had expected that there would be more fuel left than 20 miles worth after the light came on and was planning to stop at the next fuel station on her return journey. She had driven past at least one fuel station since noticing the light was on. She didn't think the car could be out of petrol yet since there was one bar still showing on the gauge.

The car is newish and is still under mains dealer warranty for mechanical failure, but I can't see myself persuading the dealer that running out of fuel 20 miles after the warning light comes on was a fault of the car. The recovery cost was £140+VAT. What's the verdict - her expense, or mine?

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nannynick · 27/04/2014 17:51

It is a mistake that can happen to any of us I feel. Until it happens you do not know how quickly you will be out of fuel. My car manual says to topup once gauge reads 1/4 of a tank, so perhaps the manufacturer does not feel the gauge is that accurate.

Are they a fairly new driver, did they not know that fuel gauges are not very accurate and if the warning light goes on they need to take immediate action?

They were the driver so they are responsible for making sure it has sufficient fuel, is parked correctly, does not commit any traffic offences.

So yes, I feel she should be held responsible.

However the car should be covered by a breakdown policy which is down to the owner to pay in my view. So why is there a charge from the breakdown company? Why did they not diagnose the problem at the roadside, arrange for some fuel? Why the 140+VAT cost - whose decision was it to have the vehicle towed to home?

clam · 27/04/2014 17:27

So she allowed you to call a breakdown company out, when she knew she had 'just' run out of petrol - not technically a breakdown?

Her mistake.

MrsPixieMoo · 27/04/2014 17:21

Her expense. She made a silly mistake and in her own time. You're her employer, not her indulgent mother.