Fuel contamination

Contaminated fuel is illegal to manufacture and sell and can damage your vehicle. Find out how you can make a complaint if you suspect fuel contamination.

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Consumer rights and safety

It is illegal to manufacture and sell contaminated fuel.

Fuel is adulterated or contaminated when the petrol or diesel product you are buying is mixed with or manufactured using:

other hydrocarbon products such as heating oil
white spirit, or
water.

Adulterated fuel can cause:

considerable damage to your vehicle and engine
safety concerns as adulterated fuel has a lower flash point than the normal product.

Did you know

Water is present in most fuel storage tanks. The tanks and pumping system are designed to take the petrol from the top of the storage tank, so the water does not enter individual vehicle petrol tanks. Normally, fuel companies will test whether water is in the petrol.

If you suspect fuel contamination

You can submit a report about adulterated fuel to Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources by either:

lodging an online complaint
calling (02) 6213 6000.

The Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources cannot help consumers with claims for compensation from suppliers.

If you would like compensation for damages and loss, please refer to the Fair Trading repairs, replacements and refunds page and make a complaint with us.

For more information on fuel quality standards, see the fuel quality pages on the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources website.

Making a complaint

When making a complaint, you should include:

details of the issues you are experiencing
copies of any correspondence that shows how you have tried to resolve the matter.

How Fair Trading will handle your complaint

Your complaint will be reviewed to determine the most appropriate resolution. This may include:

providing you with information to help resolve your complaint
recording the complaint issues to assist in future compliance programs, or
contacting the other party to try and resolve the dispute.

You can lodge a complaint:

Online

If you cannot resolve your matter, submit your complaint by using our form.

Make a complaint

By mail

Post your complaint form and documentation to:

NSW Fair Trading

PO Box 972

Parramatta NSW 2124

Ask a question

If you are unable to find the information you need, you can call us between 8:30am to 5pm on Monday to Friday. You can also use our form to make an enquiry.

Make an enquiry