Beware of Fake Motor Oil

Beware of Fake Motor Oil – Protect Your Engine and Your Wallet

🧴 It Looks the Same, But It Isn’t

There’s been a steady rise in fake and poor-quality engine oils sneaking their way into the UK market — and plenty of them end up under the bonnets of unlucky drivers.
At Pellon Tyre and Autocentre, Halifax, we’ve seen the damage first-hand. Modern engines are finely tuned machines, and they rely on the correct oil to keep everything running smoothly.
The trouble is, counterfeit or wrongly labelled oils can look perfectly genuine — until your turbo, timing chain, or DPF starts playing up.

⚠️ Where Fake Oil Comes From

Most fake oils turn up through cheap online deals, car boot sales, or unlicensed garages trying to save a few quid. There are a few different tricks used:

Refilled bottles – genuine containers that have been topped up with low-grade or even used oil.
Counterfeit packaging – bottles printed to look identical to brands like Castrol, Shell, or Mobil, but filled with cheap base oil.
Misleading brands – unknown “budget” oils claiming to be fully synthetic, but without the proper approvals or additives.

It’s a growing issue, especially online. If you find a 5-litre bottle of premium 5W-30 for £10, you’re probably looking at a fake.

🔍 The Real Cost of Cheap Oil: Beware of Fake Motor Oil

It might look like a bargain at first, but fake oil can do hundreds — even thousands — of pounds’ worth of damage.
We’ve seen examples where customers came in with blocked DPF filters, noisy timing chains, and sludged-up engines, all because the wrong or poor-quality oil was used.

Here’s what happens when fake oil goes in:

The additives aren’t there to protect metal surfaces.
The oil breaks down quickly under heat.
Contaminants block tiny oil passages and filters.
Sludge builds up, starving your turbo or timing chain of lubrication.

Once that happens, it’s not just a quick oil change to fix it—you could be looking at major repair work.

🛢️ Why It’s Harder to Spot These Days: Beware of Fake Motor Oil

Back in the day, most cars could use one of a few standard oils. Now, almost every make and model has its own specific grade and chemical formula.
That’s great for efficiency and emissions, but it makes it easier for dodgy sellers to take advantage of people who aren’t sure what oil their car needs.

Even oils with the same viscosity (say, 5W-30) can have completely different specifications. A Ford engine might need oil meeting WSS-M2C952-A1, while a VW or Audi needs 504.00 / 507.00.
If you use the wrong spec — even if it’s the same grade — it can still cause long-term harm.

👨‍🔧 How We Protect Our Customers: Beware of Fake Motor Oil

At Pellon Autocentre, we only use oils from trusted, approved suppliers — mainly SAR in Mirfield, who’ve supplied us for years. They stock the full range of manufacturer-approved grades for modern petrol, diesel, hybrid, and stop/start engines.
Every oil we use meets or exceeds the proper specifications, and we record the type and approval on your service invoice, so you always know what’s gone in your car.

That’s one of the reasons local drivers stick with us — peace of mind that they’re getting the genuine oil their engine was built for.

🧰 How to Spot Fake or Incorrect Oil

If you like to top up your own oil, here are a few pointers that can save you a lot of trouble:

Check the packaging carefully. Look for tamper-proof seals, batch codes, and clear print.
Avoid “too good to be true” prices. Genuine synthetic oil costs more to make — it’s never rock bottom cheap.
Buy from reputable suppliers or garages. Don’t risk third-party online sellers with no reviews or location.
Look for approval codes. Genuine oil will state the exact OEM specs (e.g., VW 507.00, Dexos2, etc.) — not vague phrases like “suitable for most vehicles”.
Watch for poor-quality labels. Blurry printing, spelling mistakes, or odd colours are a sure giveaway.

If in doubt, bring your car to us — we’ll happily check your oil type or change it for you properly.

💬 Why It’s a Growing Problem

Sadly, fake oil isn’t just about saving a few quid — it’s a worldwide issue. Some counterfeits come from overseas; others are bottled and sold right here in the UK. The more cars rely on specialist lubricants, the easier it is for dodgy sellers to fool people who just see the right numbers on the bottle.

That’s why sticking with a trusted local garage is still the safest option. When we change your oil at Pellon Autocentre, we know exactly what’s going in—and we stand by it.

✅ Stay Smart, Stay Protected: Beware of Fake Motor Oil

Modern cars need the right oil to keep running at their best. Don’t risk your engine on cheap, unknown brands or deals that seem too good to be true.
With professional servicing at Pellon Tyre and Autocentre in Halifax, you can be confident you’re getting the real thing — not a knock-off.

We use genuine, manufacturer-approved oils from SAR in Mirfield, so your car gets exactly what it needs, every time.

Book your next oil change or car service with us today and drive away knowing your engine’s protected — properly.