Workshops ‘still unclear about oil specs and product claims’
2 July 2025 
Confusion still exists over complex oil specifications and marketing claims, with 30% of workshops unclear about products to use, according to a new industry survey.
The survey by the Verification of Lubricant Specifications (VLS), with the support of Comma, indicated that many technicians still do not fully understand what oil specifications and marketing claims mean — and are selecting oils based on price instead of suitability.
VLS said a web-based survey was sent to representatives of more than 12,000 UK workshops.
Technicians were asked: “What do you think is the difference between ‘OE approved’ oils and oils that ‘meet the requirements/specifications of a manufacturer’?”
Most respondents correctly understood that ‘OE is the right oil according to the dealer’, while ‘meet the specification/suitable for use’ means it meets the requirement but isn’t the original oil. Also, that ‘one is generic and one is specifically designed for those engines’.
‘Best and worst’
However, around 30% either didn’t understand the difference, didn’t think there was a difference, or thought there was no difference, other than “just price”.
When asked to rank oil specification descriptors in order of which they thought was ‘best’ and ‘worst’, the majority identified OE-approved as superior, seeing little difference between the other claims.
Opinions were split when it came to being asked whether engine oils that meet the specification are ‘just as good as OE-approved oils’.
While 51% agreed, many were unconvinced, and 27% disagreed. Lubricant manufacturers invest significant sums in gaining OE approvals for their oils, yet many technicians seem unconvinced, VLS said.
According to the survey, most workshops said they used online oil selectors or Autodata to find the correct oil. Quality and suitability were the key factors driving their product choice.
‘Risks’
However, several workshops did rank price as the most important consideration. VLS chairman Harald Oosting said that is a cause for concern.
“We know that workshops are under pressure, trying to save money wherever possible. However, using cheaper, poorer quality oils or ones that do not meet the correct specification risks the protection needed for owners’ vehicles.
“Poor quality or the wrong oil can cause damage to emission control systems, accelerated wear in gears and bearings, and the formation of piston deposits, leading to increased maintenance costs and, if left unchecked, eventual engine failure.”
Oosting said modern vehicle engines require sophisticated lubricants using advanced chemistry. “Even the slightest change in the formulation has the potential to reduce performance over the short term and cause engine damage over the long term.”
He warned that, compared to standard formulations, cheaper products might contain reduced quality base oils, fewer additives or even untested additives.
Pack sizes
More than 80% of workshops source their engine oils from motor factors, VLS said. While some said they stocked 60 litre drums and barrels, 37% kept 10 or more 5L packs on site at any one time, highlighting the complexity of product requirements and the dominance of the smaller pack size to cater to different engine requirements.
Asked about industry bodies they had heard of, the survey showed a high degree of awareness of Trading Standards, with whom VLS has a primary authority relationship and ACEA, the European Association, which sets engine oil specifications.
Twelve years ago, VLS did not even exist. Now, over 33% of respondents had heard of the body, representing a significant shift.
To find out more about VLS and keep up to date with the latest case investigations, visit:
https://ukla-vls.org.uk/
And for any concerns about a lubricant’s ability to do ‘what it says on the tin’, report your concerns to VLS: email admin@ukla-vls.org.uk or call 01442 875922.