Nanny ran out of petrol

[namelessposter]

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?

Can't believe the recovery firm didn't notice the car had no petrol and use their spare can / take her to petrol station rather then row/recovery

I have a friend who works for a recovery service think aa but not sure but that's the first thing they do/ask/check

Also can't believe nanny was that stupid to drive past a garage and not put in £10 if fuel light was on

Yes she should pay so glad you told her

3 incidents in such a short time would start to worry me. Before I said accidents happen esp as possibly only one was her fault and other time she got hit

But to run out of petrol and passing a garage is stupid and I wonder if she has common sense and you can trust her to look after your children

What will be the 4th thing?

She accidently forgets to pick up your child or loses them out somewhere?

A chat is needed

If she is like a "third, older child" you need to get rid of her - seriously. She is a nanny and young or not, you are entrusting your children to her. If you are constantly wondering what the next incident might be, she is not solving your childcare problem or doing her job, just adding to your childcare issues.

Nameless, glad that you have resolved the issue - you sound lovely

Just wanted to raise the fact that my very cheap breakdown insurance (with GEM) covers me for call outs if I run out of petrol. I think many of the other big breakdown companies do too - so when you are renewing your breakdown cover, it might be worth looking around a bit.