Are petrol pump readings accurate?

[sten102]

How can we be sure when we buy petrol that every garage accurately shows how much you are using? How easy would it be to fix the pump to extract less petrol than is shown on the reading? Seems to me that if this isn't strictly monitored the potential is there for massive fraudulent profits...

[Craig007]

Trading Standards do regular checks.

http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/news/pr ess_releases/y/m/release.asp?id=200603&r=PR06/ 0075

[kempie]

Throughout its life on the forecourt, the pump is liable to inspection by the local trading standards officers and they can insist that any minor errors are put right in a limited time, or in really bad cases they can remove the seals and prevent any further use of the equipment. On many forecourts the equipment will also be checked and maintained under a service contract that ensures continual good measure for the consumer.

http://www.nwml.gov.uk/Content.aspx?SC_ID=37

[Toureman]

The Lancashire link showing a new intuitive is just a load of waffle. When I worked at a garage 45 years ago checks were carried out monthly on the pumps by The National Weights and Measures.

After the checks were carried out The adjustment points were sealed, any tampering at the next inspection would be dealt with very severely.

Pumps are still monitered so if you pay for 10 litres that is what you will get.

[198x]

Or is it Toureman?

Alot of petrol stations have the pumps at waist level. Which means when you're filling up not all the petrol is going into your tank as at the end there still will be petrol (that you've paid for) in the pipes...

[Daveed]

Interesting 198x... Also of note is that if you fill up at night when it's cold, you'll get more for your money than filling up when it's warm. Not that this answers the question though :-)