Symptoms drivers describe
- Petrol smell inside the cabin or around the car when parked
- Smell strongest after filling up
- Damp patches or staining under the engine or tank area
- Engine light on with evaporative system codes
- Fuel consumption rising
Possible causes
- Leaking injector seals or fuel rail connections
- Perished or chafed fuel hoses
- A faulty filler neck seal or fuel cap
- Evaporative emissions system faults, including the charcoal canister
- A corroded fuel tank or pipe
What you can do
- Do not smoke or use naked flames near the car
- Avoid parking it in an attached garage until checked
- Call us on 07440 140340 rather than leaving it a few days
How we check it in the workshop
We inspect the fuel system for leaks, check seals and lines, and read evaporative system data where the smell has no visible source.
Is it safe to keep driving?
Treat as urgent. Fuel leaks are a fire risk.