Fuel light roulette: How far can you drive once the 'fuel low' warning light comes on and the cars that can go for the longest using what's left in reserve

Over a third believe cars run out of fuel 20 miles after warning light illuminates
A new study claims most models will keep running for twice that distance
We reveal which cars can keep going the longest - and which run dry quickest

Published: 05:20 EDT, 25 April 2019 | Updated: 07:05 EDT, 25 April 2019

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Do you know how far can you drive your car with the 'low fuel' warning light illuminated on the dashboard to tell you you're soon going to run out of petrol or diesel?

Often referred to as fuel light roulette, it's a game most drivers would have played - the petrol gauge drops into the red and the yellow pump icon glows to remind you to visit a filling station.

But do you know how far you can go, in general, when the warning that light comes on? New research claims to reveal all, including which models have the longest and shortest fuel reserve ranges.

Fuel light roulette: How far can you really travel in your car once the 'low fuel' warning light comes on? New research claims it's further than most people think...

More than a third of motorists think they will only be able to drive another 20 miles from when the 'fuel low' light illuminates before running out of juice, according to a survey of 1,000 Britons by comparison site Compare the Market.

However, the reality is that in most cases you can drive more than double that distance - and in some vehicles almost four times as far.

And the study highlighted which popular models can travel the longest - and shortest - ranges when the fuel situation hits the reserve.

The comparison website compared the stats for 96 volume-selling cars from 29 different manufacturers to identify which could get you to a fuel station that's miles away and the ones that will leave you stranded at the roadside not long after the warning light coming on.

Fuel-reserve champion: According to the study, the Volkswagen Passat will go for the longest while the 'low fuel' warning light is illuminated

On average, the warning light will illuminate on the dashboard when the there's less than 10 per cent of fuel remaining in the tank.

Popular models with the longest reserve ranges

1. VW Passat: 75.02 miles

2. Volvo V40: 70.6 miles

3. Ford Mondeo: 70.02 miles

4. BMW 5 Series: 68.33 miles

5. Toyota Prius: 66.62 miles

6. Mercedes E-Class: 64.02 miles

7. Audi Q5: 63.82 miles

8. Range Rover Sport: 63.35 miles

9. Mazda 6: 62.97 miles

10. Audi A6: 62.06 miles

Source: Compare the Market

Using miles per gallon and fuel tank capacities, Compare the Market estimated how far these model can keep going with the fuel warning light on before chugging to a standstill.

There is - of course - no guarantee for how long the range will be, especially as you need to factor in traffic, driving style and how much weight is in the vehicle.

The model with the longest reserve range - based on the figures - is the Volkswagen Passat.

Compare the Market calculated that it can go for a staggering 75 miles with the fuel warning light glowing.

Volvo's V40 hatchback and Ford's Mondeo family car can also - just - exceed 70 miles before they conk out.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, BMW's high-performance M3 has the shortest reserve range, guzzling through the remaining fuel capacity 32 miles after the warning light flashed up.

Compare the Market estimates that the Volvo V40 hatchback can be driven for 70.6 miles on reserve

Ford's Mondeo family car is also said to be able to achieve over 70 miles with the fuel light on

Many small cars feature in the list of 10 cars with the shortest low-fuel ranges.

Despite being frugal, the small tanks in models including the Kia Picanto, Fiat 500, Mini hatchback, Citroen C1, Peugeot 108, Nissan Juke and Ford Fiesta limit their mileage when the fuel gauge hits the reserve.

Popular models with the shortest reserve ranges

1. BMW M3: 31.99 miles

2. Kia Picanto: 32.14 miles

3. Fiat 500: 37.14 miles

4. Mini Cooper: 37.52 miles

5. Mitsubishi Shogun: 38.23 miles

6. Jaguar XK: 38.38 miles

7. Citroen C1: 38.76 miles

8. Peugeot 108: 39.14 miles

9. Nissan Juke: 40.84 miles

10. Ford Fiesta: 41.07 miles

Source: Compare the Market

The high-performance BMW M3 has the shortest fuel reserve range, which the comparison site calculates is just 32 miles

Plenty of little cars with comparatively smaller fuel tanks make the list of models that will run out of fuel quickest once the warning light comes on. This includes the nation's favourite, the Ford Fiesta

What are the risks of running the tank dry?

Costly repairs: Completely draining the fuel tank can cause serious mechanical damage, most likely to the fuel pump itself, and land you with a hefty repair bill to rectify the issue.

Recovery charges: You also need to take into account the cost of having your car recovered if you don't have a breakdown policy.

Motoring offences: It's also commonly believed that it is an offence to run out of fuel on the motorway, however this is not the case.

In fact, UK law stats that running out of petrol or diesel is one of the legitimate reasons you’re allowed to use a motorway hard shoulder.

That said, there have been cases where drivers have been fined £100 and given three penalty points for careless driving if they’ve needlessly run out of fuel and left the vehicle in a dangerous position.

In countries such as Germany, it is deemed illegal to run out of fuel on a motorway.

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