Quick answer: most wrong fuel jobs in Melbourne cost $450 with Rapid Fuel Assist when the car is still at the fuel pump, or $475 at home or at the roadside with fuel supplied. The price is fixed on the phone before we come out, includes GST, and has no card fees, no per-litre waste fees and no weekend or public holiday loading.
Updated October 2026. These are our current rates and aren’t due for review until July 2027.
One of the first questions people ask after misfuelling is how much this is going to cost. The honest answer is that it depends on the path you take. Wrong fuel can cost a few hundred dollars, or it can cost thousands, and the difference usually comes down to the decisions made in the first few minutes. This guide gives you our full price list, then breaks down the other options Melbourne drivers have so you can decide quickly.
Rapid Fuel Assist Prices in Melbourne (2026)
| Job | Where the vehicle is | Price (inc. GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard vehicle | At the petrol station, you supply the fuel | $450 |
| Standard vehicle | At home, roadside or anywhere else, we supply the fuel | $475 |
| Larger vehicle (100 to 150 L tank) | At the petrol station, you supply the fuel | $550 |
| Larger vehicle (100 to 150 L tank) | At home, roadside or anywhere else, we supply the fuel | $600 |
| AdBlue in the fuel tank | Melbourne Metro | $750 to $1,000, quoted per job |
Every job includes:
- Draining the contaminated fuel and flushing the fuel system
- Testing that the engine runs properly on clean fuel before we leave
- Transport and disposal of the waste fuel under our EPA Victoria licence, at a licensed waste facility
- Fuel to get you going again
A few things that don’t change the price:
- Starting the engine or driving off. If you’ve started it, tell us, but the price stays the same.
- Weekends and public holidays. Same price seven days a week.
- Paying by card. No surcharge.
And if we can’t fix it, you don’t pay. It’s no fix, no fee. Whether you’ve put petrol in a diesel or diesel in a petrol car, the price works the same way.
AdBlue in the fuel tank is a bigger job. It’s quoted case by case on tank size and how far it has spread, and includes a test drive to confirm the system is clean. See our AdBlue in fuel tank service.
Regional Victoria Prices by Zone
Outside Melbourne Metro we price by zone. Each zone is based on the return drive from Melbourne plus about an hour on the job, so you know the full price before we leave. More on our Geelong and regional Victoria service.
| Zone | One-way drive from Melbourne | Price (inc. GST) | Example areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Up to 1.5 hours | $625 (you supply fuel) / $650 (we supply fuel) | Geelong, Ballarat, Torquay, Phillip Island |
| Zone 2 | 1.5 to 2.5 hours | $1,100 | Bendigo, Shepparton, Traralgon, Lorne |
| Zone 3 | 2.5 to 3.5 hours | $1,625 | Wilsons Prom and Yanakie, Echuca, Wangaratta, Warrnambool, Bairnsdale, Albury-Wodonga |
| Zone 4 (full day) | 3.5 hours or more | $2,200 | Horsham, Lakes Entrance, Swan Hill, Portland, Mildura, Mallacoota |
- Zone prices are for standard vehicles. Larger vehicles (100 to 150 L tanks) add $100.
- Zones 2 to 4 include fuel supplied by us.
- AdBlue jobs in regional zones are the zone rate plus an AdBlue surcharge, quoted when you book.
- The zone is set by drive time from Melbourne at the time of booking. The towns listed are a guide only.
The Alternative: Tow Truck Plus Mechanic
Many drivers call a tow truck straight after a wrong fuel incident. Before you do, it’s worth knowing what this path costs.
A tow alone typically runs between $250 and $400 for a standard Melbourne Metro tow, before any mechanical work begins. Workshop labour for a fuel drain can add another $300 to $500 depending on the shop. A workshop often needs to hoist the vehicle, remove underbody panels and reach the tank from below, which adds time and cost compared to the specialist equipment we use on site.
Many workshops also don’t hold the EPA Victoria permits needed to handle and dispose of contaminated fuel. We’re regularly called out to do the drain and disposal for mechanics who have taken in a wrong fuel vehicle and can’t finish the job, which adds more delay and cost.
The Alternative: Dealership
Taking a wrong fuel vehicle to a dealership is often the most expensive path, and not always the most effective.
Dealership pricing varies enormously. Customers have told us they were quoted $750 for a drain, with the customer arranging their own tow. At the other extreme, a Toyota HiAce owner was quoted $20,000 for a full engine and fuel system replacement after driving about 25 km on the wrong fuel. We attended, did our standard drain and flush, and the HiAce went back to normal, with no engine replacement needed. Here’s another example where a dealership quoted thousands for a Ford Ranger.
Most dealerships don’t hold EPA Victoria waste fuel permits either, and will often call us in to remove the fuel for them. Wrong fuel is almost always treated as driver error, so it isn’t covered by vehicle warranty or brand roadside programs.
The Alternative: Roadside Assistance
Standard roadside memberships are built for breakdowns, flat batteries, flat tyres and lockouts, not wrong fuel. They may attend or arrange a tow, but draining and flushing a fuel system is outside what their vehicles carry gear for. Check your cover before assuming it’s included. We explain more in does roadside assistance cover wrong fuel.
In most cases you’ll still need a specialist to finish the job, so calling one directly from the start is usually faster and cheaper.
The Real Cost Comparison
| Option | Typical total cost | Time without your car |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid Fuel Assist (Melbourne Metro) | $450 to $475 fixed | Usually back on the road within an hour of arrival |
| Tow truck plus mechanic | $550 to $900, plus disposal if the shop can’t do it | Often a day or more |
| Dealership | From around $750 plus a tow, up to thousands if parts are replaced | Days to weeks |
| Roadside assistance | Tow may be covered, drain and flush usually not | Waiting for the tow, then the workshop |
Once you add up towing, workshop labour, waste disposal, a hire car or taxi while you wait, and not knowing when you’ll get your car back, a mobile wrong fuel service is almost always the cheapest total fix.
We aim to arrive within 30 to 60 minutes across Melbourne Metro, from the northern suburbs to the south-east, including Dandenong, Cranbourne, Frankston and Pakenham. Want to see how we compare with other providers? Read our costs vs nationwide providers, comparing your wrong fuel options in 2026 and what makes our pricing fair.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does wrong fuel rescue cost in Melbourne?
With Rapid Fuel Assist it’s a fixed $450 for a standard vehicle at the fuel pump, or $475 at home or roadside with fuel supplied. Larger vehicles with 100 to 150 L tanks are $550 or $600. Prices include GST, with no card fees or per-litre waste fees.
Does it cost more if I started the car or drove off?
No. The price is the same whether or not the engine was started. Tell us when you call so we know what to expect, and stop driving as soon as you realise.
How much is wrong fuel rescue outside Melbourne?
Regional Victoria is priced by drive time. Zone 1, up to 1.5 hours out (Geelong, Ballarat, Torquay, Phillip Island), is $625 or $650. Zone 2 is $1,100, Zone 3 is $1,625 and Zone 4, a full day, is $2,200.
How much does AdBlue in the fuel tank cost to fix?
In Melbourne Metro it’s $750 to $1,000, quoted case by case on tank size and contamination. It includes a test drive to confirm the system is clean.
Is wrong fuel rescue covered by roadside assistance?
Rarely. Most roadside programs don’t cover wrong fuel as standard. A tow may be available, but the drain and flush usually needs a specialist.
Do you charge extra for weekends or public holidays?
No. Same price seven days a week, including public holidays.
Wrong fuel in Melbourne? Don’t drive it any further. Call Rapid Fuel Assist on 1300 692 469 for a fixed price on the phone. Available 7 days, no hidden fees, no card surcharges, no tow truck needed.
