My van beeped low fuel so I stopped at my neighborhood station and got about 13 gallons of gas,paid with a check, left and drove appx. 3/4 of a mile and my van quit running. Could not get it to crank so I had it towed to a mechanic who called me next day and told me I had purchased about 5 gallons of water. The van was on empty when I got the gas. I called the station as soon as the van quit, and asked if they had just had a fuel delivery or if anyone else had reported a problem and was told no. No doubt that the water came from the gas I just purchased. Is the station responsible for my repairs or maybe my insurance comprehensivecoverage?

Did you get a receipt for the gas you bought or paid for it with some kind of card to have a record of the transaction?

I paid with a company check . I'm in rural N. Georgia where everybody knows each other so the station owner and clerk remember that I got the gas there.

When you get ready to sue them they often get bad memory, so proof that can be used in court is what you need.

In the long run I doubt if anyone will be held responsible, but you will need the mechanic to testify against them, He will have to show how he could tell it was water. And how it was divided.

You might be in luck. Because there is a form of a receipt. You may have to take this to small claims court to get it settled if they won't settle. Has your mechanic spoken to them? Also save the bill. As he is a witness.

No, the mechanic has no spoken to them, nor have I because he called me this evening to tell me the diagnosis and the station was closed. He said he'd be glad to talk to them or testify on my behalf. I've known the owner for 50 years , and he is always a jerk about anything like this. That's why I'm seeking advice ahead of time, because I know he'll lie or whatever to save a penny even knowing he is in the wrong.