Couple Hit with $10,000 Charge for Diesel in Rental Car

A Canadian couple, Kelly and Katherine Graves, are facing a major dispute with Enterprise rental company over a nearly £10,000 bill for alleged damage to a rental car. The couple returned a Dodge Durango after their trip to Edmonton, Alberta, only to receive an email claiming they put diesel fuel in the vehicle, which caused it to fail.

Enterprise informed them that because of the alleged diesel fuel, the car would not start. They had two options: file an insurance claim or pay the bill. The Graves rejected both options, insisting they had only used regular gasoline, supported by receipts and photographs.

The vehicle’s design prevents incorrect fueling. The Durango’s filler neck only permits regular fuel nozzles, which makes it impossible to accidentally put diesel in. During their return trip, the couple fuelled up twice because the pump shut off early, and they kept evidence of these transactions.

Despite this, Enterprise later tried to charge them £9,500 for damages. After nine months and support from legal representation, the couple discovered that Enterprise dropped the claim, stating it could not verify the fuel source. The Graves can now breathe easier after avoiding the hefty charge and advise future renters to keep receipts and consider different rental companies to prevent similar issues.

How much do you know?

What type of vehicle did Kelly and Katherine Graves rent?

Dodge Durango

Ford Explorer

Chevrolet Tahoe

Honda CR-V

How much was the alleged damage bill that the Graves were facing?

£5,000

£7,500

£10,000

£9,500

What fuel type did the Graves claim they used while fueling the car?

Diesel

Regular gasoline

Premium gasoline

Ethanol

How long did the Graves spend dealing with the issue before the claim was dropped?

Three months

Six months

Nine months

One year

What does the Durango's filler neck design prevent?

Incorrect fueling

Overfilling

Noise pollution

Using premium fuel

What did the Graves advise future renters to do?

Use a different rental company

Refuel at a specific station

Maintain a larger fuel tank

Keep receipts

The Graves used diesel fuel in the rented vehicle.

True False

Enterprise offered the Graves three options to resolve the complaint.

True False

The Graves had proof of their fuel purchases.

True False

The vehicle was designed in a way that allowed for incorrect fueling.

True False

The claim against the Graves was ultimately verified by Enterprise.

True False

The Graves received a bill for £9,500 after nine months.

True False

The Graves returned the Dodge Durango after their trip to .

Enterprise informed the Graves that the car would not start due to fuel.

The alleged bill for damages amounted to almost £.

The Graves rejected the options to file an insurance claim or pay the .

The couple kept evidence of their fuel transactions, including receipts and .

After nine months, Enterprise dropped the claim, stating it could not verify the .

This question is required