On 24.12.14 my Fiat Ducato motorhome suffered a total loss of power as I was going round a roundabout. Fortunately I was travelling at slow speed and was able to coast the van into a side road. On checking, I found diesel dripping from the engine bay but could not see anything loose. i contacted the RAC and a patrol came to my help. Investigation revealed that there was a fuel leak between the top of the fuel filter and main housing. The patrolman removed the housing, checked the o-ring and put the housing back. I was able to complete my journey, but always concerned a leak would develop.

This is the second leak I have suffered - in July 2012 the van was serviced and within 3 months a leak had developed. The garage could only solve the problem by replacing the complete housing at a cost of nearly £210.

Looking on the internet I see that there have been numerous complaints about leaking fuel filters on Fiat Ducatos.

I contacted DVSA and received a reply on 31.12.14 advising me that although DVSA was aware of the leakage issue there was insufficient evidence to get Fiat to mount a vehicle recall.

However, I remain concerned there is a serious safety issue - what would have happened if I had been overtaking on a motorway and I had lost power? If the atomised diesel fuel have hit hot parts of the engine there would have been a fire.

As with the recent problem with the Fiat 500, Fiat are being complacent about the UFI fuel filter problem. Will it take serious accidents or deaths to occur before the DSVA acts?

If you have had a UFI filter leak I would urge you to report it to Andrew.Tudor@vosa.gsi.gov.uk so that sufficient evidence can be gathered and a recall campaign undertaken.