How to spot watered-down fuel at petrol stations in Spain

A well-known garage was caught tampering with fuel in Valencia recently

The recent incident at a filling station in Alaquàs, Valencia, has raised concerns among drivers across Spain. More than one hundred motorists unknowingly filled their cars with petrol mixed with water, which led to some serious vehicle damage. As a result, many are now facing costly repairs and asking the same question: how can you tell if your fuel has been watered down?

This case has gained national media attention and with good reason. Mixing water with petrol can cause severe harm to a car's engine and fuel system. Even though both major fuel brands and budget stations typically offer fuel of similar quality, an error like this can have devastating consequences. Knowing how to recognise contaminated petrol could help drivers avoid expensive damage.

The damage caused by water in fuel

The company that operates the Alaquàs station, Ballenoil, has since released an official apology.

“Due to a technical failure at our Alaquàs facility, an external water leak occurred in the 95-litre petrol tank, causing breakdowns in the vehicles of several of our customers,” the statement read.

“As soon as we became aware of the problem, we immediately stopped selling petrol to remove the product and implemented the necessary corrective and preventive measures to resolve the problem.”

Ballenoil also stated that they are “in contact with the authorities” and that they will “strengthen our technical protocols to ensure that a situation like this never happens again.”

This technical failure allowed water to accumulate at the bottom of the fuel tank, and because of its density, the water settled below the petrol. This resulted in contaminated fuel reaching engines and soaking critical components. For many affected drivers, the estimated cost of repair is at least €600.

How to detect if your fuel is mixed with water

Filling stations are equipped with sensors to detect water in their tanks. However, drivers have no way of knowing whether the fuel they are pumping is clean until after it enters the car. That said, there are warning signs to look out for.

One of the first indicators is difficulty starting the vehicle. If the car hesitates during acceleration or struggles to maintain power, especially at higher speeds, it may be a sign of contaminated fuel.

A more conclusive method is to take a small sample of fuel from the tank. Let it sit for several minutes in a clear container. If the sample contains water, it will separate and sink to the bottom. This simple test can help detect the issue before it leads to more serious damage.

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Image: Ballenoil

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