5 key areas to target with upkeep and maintenance in 2026
As the new year begins, it’s the perfect time for fleet operators to take stock and ensure their operations are running as efficiently and safely as possible, with one particularly key area to tackle. Fuel is one of the largest ongoing expenses for any fleet, and even small spills can have serious financial, environmental and safety consequences. By adopting a proactive approach to upkeep and maintenance in 2026, you can reduce fuel loss, safeguard your profit margins and create safer conditions for both drivers, depot staff and the wider public.
At TankSafe, we’ve spent over 20 years now helping fleets protect their fuel with groundbreaking solutions like our TankSafe® Optimum 9 device, and we’ve seen firsthand that a structured maintenance plan is one of the most effective ways to prevent costly fuel theft and spills. With the right inspections, monitoring systems, training, and protective technology in place, the new year provides an ideal opportunity to reset your fleet’s approach and start 2026 with efficiency and safety at the forefront of all operations.
1. Begin the year with thorough inspections
The first line of defence against fuel spills starts with careful, regular inspections of every truck’s fuel tank and surrounding components. Over time, fuel tanks can develop unseen issues, creating weak points where fuel can seep or drip during operation. Regular inspection helps you catch these early before they turn into costly leaks or environmental hazards.
A good inspection programme should include:
Tank integrity checks – look for corrosion, dents, cracks, loose fittings or compromised welds that could allow fuel to escape during movement or vibration.
Monitoring seal and cap condition – ensure all caps and seals are intact and correctly seated. Poor sealing is a surprisingly common source of slow leaks that go unnoticed.
Examining surrounding components – a loosening mount or cracked casing can shift tank alignment and stress connection points. Remember to inspect features like brackets or straps.
Using maintenance logs – keep detailed records of all inspections, repairs and replacements, helping you track recurring issues.
By starting 2026 with a comprehensive inspection plan and a commitment to ongoing maintenance, you’re ensuring that your fuel system begins the year on the strongest possible footing, dramatically reducing the chances of fuel loss and unplanned downtime.
2. Use the new year to refresh refuelling protocols and training
As you probably know all too well, poor refuelling practices can cause splashback, spills and prolonged fuel exposure on depot surfaces. A focus on proper refuelling techniques and driver training at the start of the year can prevent avoidable losses, making 2026 the year your team consistently prevents fuel loss at the source. We recommend focusing on a number of areas, including:
Educating your workforce on the impact of fuel theft and loss, giving them tips on vigilance/ risk protection and conducting refresher training on spill response and reporting procedures.
Making sure all employees understand optimal refuelling techniques (e.g. securing the fuel cap, avoiding ‘brimming’, closing valves, etc.).
Providing regular reminders, briefings, and visual aids at depots keeps these positive behaviours at the forefront of everyone’s minds. For 2026, consider creating a quarterly refuelling review, where minor incidents and near-misses are logged and discussed. This approach helps fleets identify trends, correct unsafe practices early and maintain a strong safety culture.
3. Start 2026 with better monitoring and data reviews
Fuel monitoring is one of the most powerful tools for spotting leaks, inefficiencies or even internal fuel theft. As you kick off the new year, reviewing your monitoring systems gives you a clear baseline to track progress and catch small issues before they escalate.
Key actions for 2026 include:
Cross-checking fuel against usage – compare fuel consumption with mileage and operational logs to spot inconsistencies. Even minor discrepancies can indicate slow leaks or unreported siphoning.
Investigating anomalies promptly – don’t assume sudden drops are normal; act immediately to identify the cause, as early intervention can prevent costly spills or theft.
Using historical data to plan maintenance. Patterns in fuel usage can highlight tanks or vehicles that may need inspection or servicing, helping you stay ahead of potential leaks.
Setting up alerts – automated notifications for unusual consumption trends allow you to respond quickly, whether it’s a human error, a mechanical issue or an attempted theft.
Neglecting this step is a common mistake for many fleets, and it really shouldn’t be. Using monitoring proactively helps you turn fuel data into a preventative tool, protecting your fuel, reducing downtime and giving your fleet a safer and more cost-effective start to the year.
4. Make spill containment a key priority for the new year
In addition to having proactive maintenance and physical safeguards in place, your fleet’s spill prevention strategy should be supported by a formal risk assessment, especially if your depot stores or handles significant quantities of fuel. In the UK, regulators expect businesses to identify where spills might happen, document how those risks are controlled and be ready to demonstrate compliance at any time.
A robust diesel spill risk assessment for 2026 should:
Identify all potential spill points, mapping out every situation where fuel might escape, from bulk storage tanks and refuelling points to vehicle transfers and routine maintenance activities.
Evaluate tank and containment systems – outline how your tanks are inspected and maintained, how corrosion and wear are tracked and what secondary containment systems (like bunds or drip trays) are in place to hold fuel if a spill occurs. Maintain documented evidence showing regular checks and corrective action schedules.
Assess human‑related risks – detail your training programmes, supervision routines and how spill response tools are deployed by staff.
Include fire and emergency planning – consider fire hazards and outline your emergency response plan. This includes accessible safety equipment, clear procedures for notifying regulators and contingency plans for a worst‑case spill scenario.
Maintain evidence of controls – retain inspection reports, training records, spill response drills and maintenance logs as part of your compliance portfolio.
5. Kick off 2026 with proven fuel security devices
With all that said, even the most thorough maintenance and training programmes can’t prevent every type of fuel loss. Choosing the right anti-siphon devices also makes a huge difference – and that’s where TankSafe® ‘Optimum’ comes in. Designed to protect your fleet from multiple fuel loss risks in one simple installation, its patented float-valve design locks the tank at around 98% capacity, preventing fuel theft as well as overfilling and spillages. Starting the year by installing these devices ensures your fleet begins 2026 with a strong safeguard against fuel loss, providing peace of mind for depot managers and drivers alike.
Those are some of the main ways you can protect your fuel! If you’re ready to create a powerful, year-round defence against spills, siphoning, and overfilling, we’re here to help. With our pioneering TankSafe® OPTIMUM 9 device, you can enjoy 100% protection against fuel loss in just five minutes, reducing your fuel bills by an impressive 15%. For more information and advice, don’t hesitate to give us a call on 01253 400 401 today, and make 2026 the year you really start protecting your business.