Published 17 October 2026. General guidance; an inspection of your vehicle is still required.
General guidance cannot confirm that your car is safe to drive. The existing workshop photo does not document the specific fault discussed here.
People's safety comes before finding the fault
Do not continue with a strong smell, visible leak, smoke or suspected fire. Stop safely and switch the engine off once safely stopped. Do not smoke, use an open flame or attempt repairs. Move away from danger and call for help from a safe location. For a fire or immediate danger, contact emergency assistance rather than waiting for a workshop reply.
After refuelling does not establish the cause
Spilled fuel or a contaminated item may be relevant, but the timing does not rule out a vehicle fault. Say whether this is new, recurring or was present before refuelling. Do not put your face near openings or stains, or identify fluid by touch. If the source is uncertain, no visible puddle is not proof that everything is sound.
Do not test the fuel system yourself
Depending on the car, connections, lines, the tank or fuel-delivery components may require inspection. Where you notice a smell does not identify the defective part. Do not disconnect lines, start the engine to test for leakage or disconnect the battery as an improvised repair. Fuel-system work needs appropriate expertise; this is not an injection-system repair procedure.
Record details without taking further risks
Once safe, note the make, model, year, fuel type and when you first noticed the smell. Recent refuelling or repairs and earlier starting problems, increased consumption or warnings are useful context. A photograph is less important than distance from danger. Do not return to the vehicle merely to take a picture or locate the leak more precisely.
A phone call cannot confirm safe driving
Explain that this is suspected fuel, not a routine price enquiry. A workshop may help organise the next inspection step, but a remote description cannot establish that driving is safe. Discuss suitable assistance or transport before the cause is assessed. The website does not promise mobile repairs, round-the-clock availability or immediate repair of every fuel-system type.
Establishing scope and price
The vehicle, symptoms and safe handover arrangements need to be established before work is confirmed. A code-reading price is not the cost of locating every leak, and stored faults may not provide a clear answer. Do not order a pump or injector based on smell alone. After initial checks, ask for the findings, proposed costs and approval process for further work. No fixed repair price is quoted without the cause.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive if there is no puddle?
No visible puddle does not establish tightness or safety. With a suspected leak or strong smell, arrange a safe next step rather than a test drive.
Will a new cabin filter resolve a fuel smell?
A filter does not prove that the fuel-smell source has been removed. First assess the possible danger and establish the cause.
Agree the next step safely
Autoservis 1 is at Unhošťská 92, Červený Újezd, near Unhošť, Hostivice, Kladno and Prague-West. For acute safety concerns, seek appropriate assistance rather than waiting for an email. An enquiry does not confirm a price, appointment or that the car can be driven.
Send only relevant details
Relevant photos or records can be emailed; the form does not accept attachments. Remove unrelated personal information. Take photos only when safely stationary and never approach danger just to document a fault.
Call from a safe placeTechnical references and pricing
General technical sources, not a diagnosis of your car. Vehicle-specific instructions take priority.