Motorists in the west and border counties are more aware of fuel stretching, and close to four in 10 drivers in some regions will avoid petrol stations where they find the prices to be suspiciously low.

A survey of 10,000 motorists by the AA finds that many people refuelling their car will avoid a filling station if the price seems too far below the national average, with a massive 39% of Cavan drivers surveyed saying they wouldn’t buy fuel that looks to be priced too low.

The problem of adulterated petrol is more acute in the border counties and the west, with awareness of criminal activity of petrol stretching highest among Connacht residents.

83% living in the province compared to 63% in Munster and 64% in Leinster respectively said they are aware of the practice.

Connacht was the province where the level of drivers whose cars had been damaged by doctored fuel was highest, with 5% having their cars damaged by either stretchered of laundered diesel.

However in individual border counties the figure was higher again, with one in 10 surveyed drivers in Monaghan having received doctored fuel, while 8% in Cavan and 7% in Louth

Petrol stretching happens when cheaper fuels, such as kerosene, are added.

It can seriously damage an engine and motorists generally find it difficult to secure compensation.