I had a pretty similar experience when I took my 4/4 for this year's MOT. There was about ¼ of a tank of fuel in it that had been there for a couple of months. The engine died on the lift and needed some fresh fuel to get it to restart.

I use fuel stabiliser (Briggs and Stratton Fuel Fit) in the can I use for the 4-stroke garden kit, and I only use E5 these days, but to date I've not used it in the car. I think that'll change this winter.


Tim H.
1986 4/4 VVTi Sport, 2002 LR Defender, 2022 Mini Cooper SE