Is your car at risk? Aussie drivers stranded after shocking petrol contamination
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If you’ve ever filled up your tank and driven off with a sigh of relief—only to have your car splutter to a halt moments later—you’ll know just how distressing a bad batch of fuel can be.
That’s exactly what happened to a group of unsuspecting drivers in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, who found themselves stranded and facing hefty repair bills after filling up at a local 7-Eleven.
The incident unfolded at the 7-Eleven on Hawthorn Rd in Nunawading, where several motorists reported their vehicles breaking down almost immediately after refuelling.
Some cars wouldn’t even start, while others died just moments after leaving the pump.
As one frustrated customer put it, ‘All these cars, every single one that is here is ruined because of water in their fuel.’
It wasn’t just one type of petrol affected, either. According to customer Michael Hennessey, ‘Diesel, 98 is totally stuffed and 91.’ In other words, no matter what you were driving or what you were filling up with, you were at risk.
Despite customers’ pleas for staff to stop selling fuel, the pumps reportedly kept running for some time before the issue was finally addressed.
7-Eleven has since confirmed that the problem was isolated to this single store, and fuel sales were suspended as soon as the contamination was discovered.
While the exact cause is still under investigation, early reports suggest that Melbourne’s recent heavy rainfall may be to blame.
Water can sometimes seep into underground fuel tanks if they’re not properly sealed or maintained, leading to a dangerous mix that can wreak havoc on engines. It’s a rare but serious issue—water in your petrol or diesel can cause everything from stalling and rough running to catastrophic engine damage.
If you’re unlucky enough to fill up with contaminated fuel, the symptoms are usually hard to miss. Your car might:
- Stall or refuse to start
- Run roughly or misfire
- Display warning lights on the dashboard
- Suffer from reduced power or acceleration
In severe cases, water in the fuel can cause corrosion or damage to sensitive engine components, leading to expensive repairs. For many of the drivers affected in Nunawading, the damage was immediate and severe.
Source: 7News Australia / Youtube.
What Should You Do If You Suspect Bad Fuel?
If you ever suspect you’ve filled up with contaminated petrol or diesel, here’s what you should do:
1. Stop driving as soon as it’s safe. Continuing to run the engine can make the damage worse.
2. Contact the service station immediately. Report the issue and ask if there have been other complaints.
3. Keep your receipt. Proof of purchase is essential for any compensation claim.
4. Get your car checked by a mechanic. They can confirm if water or other contaminants are present in your fuel system.
5. Contact your insurer. Some policies may cover damage caused by contaminated fuel.
Under Australian Consumer Law, you’re entitled to a remedy if a business sells you a faulty product—including contaminated fuel.
In this case, 7-Eleven has stated that affected customers will be contacted and offered compensation. This could include covering the cost of repairs, towing, and even alternative transport while your car is off the road.
If you ever find yourself in a similar situation and the service station isn’t cooperating, you can escalate your complaint to the ACCC or your state’s consumer protection agency.
Have you ever been caught out by bad fuel? Do you have any tips for fellow drivers on how to avoid this kind of disaster? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!
That’s exactly what happened to a group of unsuspecting drivers in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, who found themselves stranded and facing hefty repair bills after filling up at a local 7-Eleven.
The incident unfolded at the 7-Eleven on Hawthorn Rd in Nunawading, where several motorists reported their vehicles breaking down almost immediately after refuelling.
Some cars wouldn’t even start, while others died just moments after leaving the pump.
As one frustrated customer put it, ‘All these cars, every single one that is here is ruined because of water in their fuel.’
It wasn’t just one type of petrol affected, either. According to customer Michael Hennessey, ‘Diesel, 98 is totally stuffed and 91.’ In other words, no matter what you were driving or what you were filling up with, you were at risk.
Drivers in Melbourne’s east were left stranded after filling up with contaminated petrol at the 7-Eleven on Hawthorn Rd, Nunawading. Image source: 7News Australia / Youtube.
Despite customers’ pleas for staff to stop selling fuel, the pumps reportedly kept running for some time before the issue was finally addressed.
7-Eleven has since confirmed that the problem was isolated to this single store, and fuel sales were suspended as soon as the contamination was discovered.
While the exact cause is still under investigation, early reports suggest that Melbourne’s recent heavy rainfall may be to blame.
Water can sometimes seep into underground fuel tanks if they’re not properly sealed or maintained, leading to a dangerous mix that can wreak havoc on engines. It’s a rare but serious issue—water in your petrol or diesel can cause everything from stalling and rough running to catastrophic engine damage.
If you’re unlucky enough to fill up with contaminated fuel, the symptoms are usually hard to miss. Your car might:
- Stall or refuse to start
- Run roughly or misfire
- Display warning lights on the dashboard
- Suffer from reduced power or acceleration
In severe cases, water in the fuel can cause corrosion or damage to sensitive engine components, leading to expensive repairs. For many of the drivers affected in Nunawading, the damage was immediate and severe.
Source: 7News Australia / Youtube.
What Should You Do If You Suspect Bad Fuel?
If you ever suspect you’ve filled up with contaminated petrol or diesel, here’s what you should do:
1. Stop driving as soon as it’s safe. Continuing to run the engine can make the damage worse.
2. Contact the service station immediately. Report the issue and ask if there have been other complaints.
3. Keep your receipt. Proof of purchase is essential for any compensation claim.
4. Get your car checked by a mechanic. They can confirm if water or other contaminants are present in your fuel system.
5. Contact your insurer. Some policies may cover damage caused by contaminated fuel.
Under Australian Consumer Law, you’re entitled to a remedy if a business sells you a faulty product—including contaminated fuel.
In this case, 7-Eleven has stated that affected customers will be contacted and offered compensation. This could include covering the cost of repairs, towing, and even alternative transport while your car is off the road.
If you ever find yourself in a similar situation and the service station isn’t cooperating, you can escalate your complaint to the ACCC or your state’s consumer protection agency.
Have you ever been caught out by bad fuel? Do you have any tips for fellow drivers on how to avoid this kind of disaster? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!
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