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• The latest trending vehicle crime sees fuel tanks being punctured and then drained of the fuel.
• Depending on the make and model, fuel tanks are costly whether second-hand or new.
• It could cost up to R25 000 to replace.
The announcement of fuel prices increasing by up to R2.43 and R1.10 per litre for petrol and diesel obviously didn’t sit well with motorists, with it being the latest in a long line of increments. But our fuel problems seem to be even more problematic.
Whether we like it or not, motorists are again forced to pay even more to fill up, making the practice of fuel-saving impossible. To make matters worse, criminals have identified a gap to inconvenience our lives even more, when it comes to high fuel expenses. Based on the crime doing the rounds in the United States in the video above, this is happening worldwide – and it’s nothing new either. The alarming trend which has resurfaced sees brazen thieves drilling or puncturing a hole in a vehicle’s fuel tank and stealing the diesel or petrol in it. Fuel has become such a valuable commodity it’s now been dubbed as ‘black gold’. We’re not yet sure if the stolen fuel is being used by criminals themselves, or if it’s being sold at a cheaper price.
Here at home, a post has been shared on social media platforms of two motorists falling victim to this new crime. The incident occurred in Table View, outside Cape Town, on 28 May when the motorists visited a friend in the area. The Facebook post shows a photo of an unknown vehicle’s fuel tank punctured.
Dale Hansby from Cape Town said he and his wife had just filled the tank of their 2020 VW Polo at a petrol station less than 2km from a party at a friend’s place in Table View.
Hansby says: “I went outside around 01:00 to move the car and noticed that the fuel warning said 0km. I drove around the block, thinking the onboard computer needed to sync, but the car stopped and would not drive any further when I got back.
“I then noticed that there was fuel in the driveway but not enough for it to be a full tank. Our suspicions that the tank was drained were only confirmed the following day when the car was towed, and we could see the punctured hole. The other motorist who suffered the same fate also only found out the next day as there was still some fuel left in his tank. Out of the six cars visiting, only ours and the other motorist had our cars filled up. It just seemed too much of a coincidence.
“Although it was really dark and we couldn’t see much at that time of night, we could definitely smell the fuel.
Hansby says he and his wife are completely inconvenienced. Not only have they lost the money of an entire tank of fuel, but their car is currently still at the workshop. Although they’re insured, they’ve been given an estimated quote of R17 000 so far. “R11 000 is just for the tank, and the rest is for some other small parts and labour.”
Vehicle security specialist Moinuddin Gaibe of Auto-Wizz in Maitland, says they’ve already had to fix plenty of fuel tanks on various vehicles already.
“We use a special epoxy which is fuel resistant and a piece of stainless steel to cover it up. It’s terrible; these guys make 20mm holes underneath the tank with a cordless drill or screwdriver and then catch the fuel as it starts to run out.”
Gaibe also says replacement costs vary from vehicle make and model, but most people opt for second-hand parts.
“This can cost anything from R850 to R8000 for a used fuel tank. A new fuel tank will be much more expensive because it’s not a popular item and its size also contributes to the hefty price.”
Most fuel tanks are situated underneath the rear seats of a car; they could physically be accessed by jacking up the vehicle, which exposes its (rounded) bottom section. The majority of tanks are made from aluminium, polyethylene, steel, or even plastic. These materials could easily be punctured by a screwdriver, corkscrew, or cordless drill, which leads to a simple and quick way to syphon fuel.
The entire situation is also incredibly dangerous as a fire is more likely to break out and the car could set alight.
There have been cases of people filling up at a petrol station and then driving away without paying, but this trend directly impacts the unfortunate victim to fork out extra cash because of the punctured tank. You can be driving on your merry way and suddenly come to a complete stop without knowing what the problem could be. Seeing as the Volkswagen Polo is the most prevalent passenger car currently on the road, and for the sake of comparison in this instance, it comes with a 40-litre petrol tank.
We reached out to a local dealer to get an idea of pricing for a brand-new tank on the 2022 Polo. However, the car is still so new in our local market, the specific part is not available on hand and has to be imported – this could take up to three months to arrive in South Africa. Other than it incurring an extra expense on your behalf (if you’re not covered or insured), you won’t be able to drive anywhere – due to the leaking fuel.
Depending on a particular car’s make, model, and fuel delivery method (carburettor or electronic fuel injection), a replacement tank could cost as much as R25 000. Fuel tanks could also be repaired, which could reduce the cost drastically, depending on the severity of the damage.
A strong smell of petrol and seeing a puddle underneath the rear of the car are sure-fire ways to know that the tank has been tampered with somehow. Silverton in Durban is one of the many companies specialising in reconditioning and replacing fuel tanks.
Thieves have a knack for being quick when it comes to unscrupulous activity, and the work is often not carried out alone. Try and always be aware of your surroundings, and try not to be distracted by your cellphone when filling up.
The best precaution to take is to park as close as possible to the entrance at a shopping centre where there is regular foot traffic.
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