An Uber driver has contacted Driver Matty at DM News after a routine, short-distance trip turned into a nightmare involving a dirty used car engine being loaded into his vehicle without proper consent.
According to the driver, the job was a very short Uber trip worth less than £5. When he arrived at the pickup point, two male passengers asked if they could “put something in the boot.” Believing it would be a small item, the driver agreed and opened the boot.
The driver then briefly stepped away to go into a nearby shop to buy a drink. When he returned moments later, he was shocked to find that the passengers had loaded a heavy, oil-stained used engine into the back of his car.
Although the passengers had laid down a tarp, the engine was still visibly dirty and greasy, with oil residue and grime posing a serious risk of damage, contamination, and long-term odour to the vehicle’s interior.
The driver immediately told the passengers to remove the engine. They reportedly offered him a small cash tip to leave it in the car and continue the journey, but the driver refused, stating he did not want the engine in his vehicle under any circumstances.
The engine was removed, and the trip did not go ahead.
DM News Commentary
This is exactly the type of situation that highlights a major grey area in ride-hailing.
Uber vehicles are not goods transport vans, yet drivers are increasingly being put in awkward and unacceptable positions — especially on low-value trips where the risk massively outweighs the reward.
A used engine:
- Is extremely heavy
- Can leak oil and fluids
- Can permanently stain upholstery
- May invalidate insurance or breach Uber’s vehicle cleanliness standards
Even with a tarp, the risk is entirely on the driver — not the passenger.
Drivers should remember:
- You are fully entitled to refuse items that could damage your car
- Stepping away from the vehicle during loading is risky
- If something doesn’t feel right, cancel immediately
This story is a reminder to never assume “something in the boot” means something harmless, especially when dealing with unknown passengers.
If you’re a driver and have experienced something similar, DM News wants to hear from you.
Thanks for visiting DM News!
If you’ve got a question, story, or anything you’d like to say, head over to DriverMatty.com — I’d love to hear from you! And while you’re there, don’t forget to check out my other websites and social media channels.
