What should a garage or workshop do with diesel contaminated with petrol?

In brief

For a garage or workshop, petrol in diesel means stopping use of that fuel straight away, keeping it away from drains, and arranging an assessment and collection. Petrol strips the lubrication diesel injection pumps depend on, so an engine run on contaminated fuel can wear its pump and injectors and send metal particles through the system. Call 07950 582635 or send an enquiry.

Petrol in diesel at garages

At garages, misfuel drains, fuel drained for tank and pump repairs, and fuel from vehicles that have stood for months. Petrol reaches diesel, gas oil or kerosene through misfuelling, deliveries into the wrong tank (forecourt crossovers), shared drain containers during vehicle depollution, and cans used for more than one fuel.

Collecting diesel contaminated with petrol from garages

Drums, cans and IBCs. As needed, often bulked up over a few weeks.

Rules at garages

Petrol in a workshop is a fire risk under DSEAR, so drained fuel is kept closed and away from hot work.

Is diesel contaminated with petrol still worth collecting?

Yes, as mixed fuel.

How City Fuel Services handles waste diesel

Send us the five details: business and postcode, roughly how much waste diesel there is, what it is and any contamination, how it is stored and reached, and whether you need one collection or regular ones. We assess it, confirm a rebate or a collection charge, and collect on a consignment note.

Terms used in this answer

Diesel bug: Bacteria and fungi that grow where water meets diesel in a tank. They form slime and sludge that block filters.
Bund: A wall, tray or outer case around a fuel container that holds any leak. For oil and fuel stored at a business, bunds for tanks, bowsers and IBCs are sized at 110% of the container.

Key facts
Problem	Petrol in Diesel
Sector	Garages and workshops
Fuel	Diesel
Also called	DERV (diesel engine road vehicle), road diesel, white diesel
Waste code	13 07 01* (fuel oil and diesel)