The worst gas stations in the Czech Republic. If you refuel here, you will destroy your car in a flash

The state of fuel quality in the Czech Republic is improving, but there are still places where the quality of fuel does not meet the standards. The Czech Trade Inspection (ČOI) constantly monitors the market to detect sellers who gamble with the quality of gasoline or diesel. Although the total number of offenses is decreasing, you will occasionally come across a station that could cause you problems.

Risks of bad fuel

Many deficiencies in fuel are only slight deviations, but even these can have serious consequences. For example, low oxidation stability of diesel fuel can lead to rapid aging of the fuel and the formation of deposits that cause malfunctions in the car’s fuel system. One of the sinners who earned a record fine of two million crowns was the Globus chain for selling low-quality diesel.

How do operators defend themselves?

Most gas station operators emphasize that they cannot fully influence the quality of the fuel because they rely on their suppliers. Nevertheless, the law says that the responsibility lies with the operators, regardless of whether they were directly responsible for the fuel defect or not. This means that if there is a problem, they have to face the consequences.

Pioneers of transparency

In the last decade, there has been a significant shift in the transparency of fuel quality control. Thanks to organizations like Kverulant.org and their push for public inspection results, today consumers can get insight into where bad fuel is being sold. This openness helps drivers avoid places where they might fill up with problematic fuel.

Consequences for your vehicle

Not only can the wrong fuel shorten the life of your engine, it can also cause serious damage to other parts of the car. When refueling with quality fuel, it’s not just about keeping the car running, but also about preventing costly repairs in the future.

Places to avoid when refueling

If you do not want to risk problems with your vehicle, it is important to choose proven gas stations for refueling. Here are some that have been fined for selling substandard fuel in the last year:

• Globus gas station, Brno: Operator Globus ČR, a fine of CZK 2,000,000 for the sale of low-quality diesel fuel with oxidation stability many times higher than the norm.
• Robin Oil, Kladno-Dubí: Operator Robin Oil, fined 700,000 CZK for selling Diesel Premium with extremely high oxidation stability.
• Votava, Tisovec: Operator Votava CZ, a fine of CZK 500,000 for the sale of Optimal Diesel diesel with oxidation stability exceeding the specified limits.
• Silmet, Žatec: Silmet Plus operator, fined CZK 450,000 for selling diesel with a high amount of deposits.
• Omar oil, Brandýsek: Operator Omar oil, fined CZK 200,000 for selling diesel and gasoline with unsuitable properties, including low-quality distillation points.
• Pasoil PHM Nord, Jiříkov: Operator Pasoil, a fine of CZK 150,000 for selling diesel fuel with a low flash point.
• GAS Petroleum Group, Chernošin: Operator GAS Petroleum Group, a fine of CZK 100,000 for a similar defect.
• Traviko CZ, Brno-Chrlice and MS – Ekoflora, Měchenice: These stations were fined for selling gasoline with an inappropriate end of distillation and diesel with a low flash point.
• Medos, Prague 9 – Dolní Počernice and Petrol Mratín, Mratín: Both stations sold diesel with dangerously low flash points.
• Š + H oil, Temelín and Strážovská gas station, Strážov: Smaller fines for selling fuel with a low flash point and, in the case of the Ranger Station, for exceeding the limit of ethanol in gasoline.
• K5 CZ, Klatovy: Fine for the sale of gasoline with a slight excess of the permitted ethanol content.

These cases show the importance of choosing quality gas stations and being informed about the potential risks associated with fuel quality that can affect the performance and safety of your vehicle. Few would want to risk damage to their vehicle due to a poorly chosen gas station. By regularly checking and publishing the results, we can better protect our cars and our wallets.

Photo: Shutterstock, source: Kverulant