National Misfuel Register: What Changed for NZ Workshops, Insurers and Drivers

A new record for every wrong-fuel incident

From April 2026, New Zealand's National Misfuel Register introduces a standardised way of recording wrong-fuel events across the country. For workshops, insurers and drivers alike, the change means one consistent source of truth when a petrol nozzle finds its way into a diesel tank — or the reverse. The register captures the incident, the vehicle, and the recovery path taken, helping everyone involved move from confusion to a clear, documented process.

What changed for workshops

NZIFDA-certified workshops now have a clearer framework for logging manufacturer-spec fuel system recovery. Rather than relying on ad-hoc paperwork, workshops can record each recovery against a national standard, giving insurers and vehicle owners confidence that the work was completed to the correct specification. For EEK Mechanical, this aligns with how we already operate: a tow truck collects your vehicle from the forecourt, roadside, home or car park, and the vehicle is transported to a certified workshop where manufacturer-spec fuel system recovery is completed. Recovery equipment lives at the workshop — never at the collection location.

What changed for insurers

Insurers gain a more reliable record of each incident, which supports faster assessment and clearer claims handling. A documented recovery path — from vehicle collection through to workshop completion — helps remove ambiguity about what happened and when. Drivers should still check their own policy, as third-party roadside assistance providers such as AA, FMG or rental companies may have their own processes. EEK's role is the tow-to-workshop recovery itself, with every step itemised for transparency.

What changed for drivers

For drivers, the register means your wrong-fuel incident is handled with greater consistency. The most important step remains unchanged: if you have put the wrong fuel in your vehicle, do not start the engine. Starting or driving on the wrong fuel can cause substantial damage to components such as the fuel pump and injectors — costs that sit separately from the recovery invoice. The safest course is to have the vehicle collected and taken to a certified workshop for manufacturer-spec fuel system recovery.

What to do now

If you have misfuelled, keep the engine off and call our 24/7 customer hotline on 0800 769 000. We will dispatch a tow truck to collect your vehicle and transport it to an NZIFDA-certified workshop for manufacturer-spec fuel system recovery. Recovery is fully itemised, and costs vary by tow distance, after-hours timing and vehicle type — see our rate card for a complete breakdown. Acting quickly, before the engine is started, is the single best way to keep a wrong-fuel mistake from becoming a larger repair.