Ballymena included in fuel pump inspection campaign as 12 fuel dispensers fail accuracy limits

Petrol stations in Ballymena were among 87 Northern Ireland premises subjected to unannounced inspections as Trading Standards tested whether motorists were receiving the amount of fuel they paid for.

Twelve of the 371 pieces of equipment examined between April and July were found to be outside the permitted margin of error. Any equipment presenting an issue was immediately withdrawn for repair, recalibration or adjustment.

The Trading Standards Service has not disclosed which individual forecourts failed checks or provided a town-by-town breakdown of the results. It said follow-up visits had confirmed that all identified problems were corrected.

Missing seals raise concern

While inspectors found a high level of compliance with fuel-dispensing requirements, the campaign uncovered a larger number of technical deficiencies:

• 371 pieces of equipment were inspected

• 64 were reverified

• 12 were outside the permitted limit of error

• 10 had non-compliant markings

• 10 had an incorrect or missing data plate

• 39 had incorrect or missing seals

These categories may overlap and do not necessarily represent separate pieces of equipment.

Judith Gough, Trading Standards Service Metrology Deputy Chief Inspector, said:

“Consumers in Northern Ireland have the right to get exactly what they pay for when they fill up at a pump, especially during times of rising fuel costs.

“While it’s very reassuring that the vast majority of petrol stations are delivering accurate quantities of fuel, the high volume of missing seals and data plates identified during the project is a concern. Anti-tamper seals are a critical line of defense against fraud and unauthorised equipment adjustments. TSS has worked closely with retail service providers to rectify all issues of non-compliance.”

Pumps taken out of service

The inspections covered supermarket and service station forecourts, small rural petrol stations, marinas, tyre depots and solid-fuel businesses that also sell liquid fuel.

Trading Standards said its independent testing helps ensure pumps dispense fuel accurately and comply with legal requirements, protecting consumers from receiving a short measure while maintaining fair competition among retailers.

Judith added:

“The focus of the project was to ensure consumers are protected from short measure fuel while ensuring a level playing field for businesses that operate in this sector.

“The inspections revealed a high level of compliance regarding the dispensing of liquid fuel from the pumps, although some technical deficiencies were uncovered. Where issues were identified, equipment was immediately taken out of service for repair, recalibration or adjustment. If possible, pumps were tested and reverified on the day to ensure any detriment to consumers was addressed.”

Locations included in inspection campaign

Alongside Ballymena, inspections took place in Cloughmills, Ballymoney, Belfast, Carrowdore, Bangor, Newtownards, Comber, Glenabbey, Newtownabbey, Ballynure, Ballyclare, Greenisland, Carrickfergus, Portadown, Lurgan, Lisburn, Gilford, Donaghcloney, Waringstown, Lisnarick, Clogher, Omagh, Derry City, Newbuildings, Magheramason, Irvinestown, Enniskillen, Hamiltonsbawn, Markethill, Armagh City, Kesh, Ballynahinch, Coalisland, Banbridge, Cookstown, Dungannon, Ballygawley, Crossgar, Saintfield, Antrim, Ballinderry, Glenavy, Fivemiletown, Maguiresbridge, Ballykelly, Derrylin, Holywood and Randalstown.

Testing was conducted under the Weights and Measures (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 and the Measuring Equipment (Liquid Fuel and Lubricants) Regulations. Trading Standards’ market-surveillance powers are provided by the Market Surveillance (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2021.

How to report a suspected inaccurate pump

Anyone who suspects that a fuel pump is delivering an inaccurate amount should contact Consumerline on 0300 123 62 62 or submit a complaint or request advice here.

With all faults identified during the campaign now reported as corrected, the findings provide broad reassurance about fuel accuracy—but the number of missing seals and data plates highlights why continued unannounced inspections remain important.