VLS Newsletter – June 2026
Case Summary
Overall the number of cases stands at 146, with 4 products under investigation, 1 not compliant following investigation, 7 cases escalated to Trading Standards following investigation, 1 compliant during investigation, 10 compliant following investigation, 1 compliant following six-month review and 122 archived.
Not Compliant, Escalated to Trading Standards
Case 010203 – SCT Vertriebs. Lubriage Ltd trading as Mannol UK & Ireland. 5W-30 Longlife 504/507. Complaint. Not compliant. VLS undertook a six-month review of the above case in line with its stated process. As part of our investigation into the above product and following our earlier correspondence, we procured and tested a new sample of the product (dated May 2024). The sample was tested at a laboratory which has full ISO 17025 accreditation and also is accredited for the test method. The tested sample gave a reading of 3.18 mPa.s which is consistent with our earlier test result of 3.13 mPa.s, and the complainant’s sample test result of 2.9mPa.s. In response Lubriage Ltd trading as Mannol UK & Ireland arranged testing of their own samples in Europe with SGS and committed to sending the results of the testing to VLS. The results were not received prior to publication and therefore the product is non-compliant and will be reported to Bucks & Surrey Trading Standards as part of VLS’s Primary Authority relationship. Following as change of management the Lubricant Marketer wrote to VLS outlining the steps they are taking to bring the product into compliance. VLS has requested that these be evidenced.
Case 010200 – SCT Vertriebs GmbH Mannol Brake Fluid DOT-4 (3002). Not compliant. Product not proven to be compliant following Investigation and has been escalated to Trading Standards. 11/03/2026 New test results have been provided to VLS undertaken by an independent laboratory demonstrating that the sample was compliant. This was consistent with an independent analysis supplied by the marketer. VLS has sourced a further sample which has been sent for testing.
Case 010195 – Silverhook Supreme Plus 5W-30 API SP, ACEA C2 C3. The six- month review was completed on 3rdMay, a bulletin has been issued and the case has been escalated to Trading Standards due to non-compliance and the non-cooperation of the Lubricant Marketer. Bucks & Surrey Trading Standards have referred the matter to the home authority of the Lubricant Marketer. The Lubricant Marketer is now registered with SAIL to be able to make ACEA claims. The manufacturer has provided an updated TDS and which was considered to be much improved when reviewed by the TRP. A dialogue is continuing with the manufacturer.
Case 010192 – Motor Parts Direct: Maxiflow 5W-30 Fully Synthetic. Not compliant. The case concerns PCEO 5W-30 Fully Synthetic and marketing claims against ACEA C2, C3, API SN and VW 502 00/505 00. The six-month review has been completed. VLS were earlier advised that the Lubricant Marketer was to remove the VW 502.00/505.00 claim as this is incompatible with the mid SAPS claims detailed on the Technical Data Sheet. The claim against VW 505.00 had been removed and a new claim against VW 505.01 is being made. The Lubricant Marketer was advised that the claim against VW 502.00 was to be removed and was still being made at the six-month review stage. Additionally, the way ACEA was referenced in relation to claims made was technically incorrect and the Lubricant Marketer was advised to correct this and also to register with SAIL to make claims against the ACEA engine oil sequences. The details of the case would be escalated to VLS’s Primary Authority partner Bucks & Surrey Trading Standards on a non-compliant basis. A bulletin has been issued and a six-month case publication notice published to the website.
Case 010190 – SCT Vertriebs GmbH Mannol Central Hydraulic Fluid. Product not compliant and case not resolved. The complaint concerns the OEM specifications claimed on a Central Hydraulic Fluid. The case has undergone a six-month review. A new sample of the product has been procured and has been tested. The test results are not meeting the specifications claimed, the case has been escalated to Bucks & Surrey Trading Standards on a non-compliant basis.
Case 010184 – SCT Vertriebs GmbH Fanfaro MAX 6 75W-90 GL-5 gear oil. Product not proven to be compliant following Investigation – Escalated to Trading Standards.
Case 010183 – Westway Lubricants 75W-90 Synthetic gear oil. Product not proven to be compliant. The case concerns 75W-90 gear oil. The case was subject to a six-month review in January, the product was found to be non-compliant and has been escalated to Trading Standards. 08/03/2026. Westway have provided a sample of the new product along, with a Certificate of Analysis, to VLS for testing in order to demonstrate compliance. The test results have been received and are with the TRP for consideration.
Current Cases
Case 010246 – Anonymous. Under Investigation. Case received on 15th April 2026. The case concerns 5W-30 PCEO and its OEM performance claims relative to its product profile. The TRP have agreed there is a case to answer and VLS has written to the marketer asking about the basis for the performance claims.
Case 010245 – Investigation complete. Compliant. UK Lubricants Ltd, Oscar Diamond Pro PCEO 0W-30. Investigation complete, pending six-month review due 27th July 2026.
Case 010244 – Smith & Allan. Momentum 5W-30 C3 STL Stellantis claim FPW 9.55535/03. The investigation is closed and a website publication notice has been issued. A six-month review will be undertaken in September 2026.
Case 010243 – No further action. PCEO 5W-30. Product not found on open sale in the UK, in line with VLS’s criteria, and so the matter has been referred back to the Complainant. To be archived 1st July 2026.
Case 010242 – Product Compliant During Investigation – Case Resolved. Anonymous. PCEO 5W-30. The complaint concerns a claim against the Stellantis specification FPW9.55535/03. On the 18th November VLS wrote to the Lubricant Marketer outlining details of the complaint. On the 25th November the Lubricant Marketer’s supplier responded to the complaint providing evidence of meeting the performance claim which was passed back to the Technical Review Panel. This evidence was accepted and the investigation is closed. Six-month review due 25th June 2026.
Case 010241 – Ravenol SMP SAE 5W0-30. The complaint concerns a claim against the Stellantis specification FPW9.55535/03. The claim has been removed from the marketer’s website but still remains on the supplying company’s Technical Data Sheet. The investigation is closed based on the actions of the marketer, subject to a six-month review due in August 2026. VLS has written to Paul Becher, Ravenol GmbH Managing Director/CEO on 10th March seeking assurances to the removal of the claim. No response has been received as at 1st May 2026.
Case 010240 – Aztec Oils Torotec 5W-30 STL. The case concerns a claim against Stellantis FPW 9.55535/03. Aztec amended the wording on the claim to clarify that it is being made against version 1 of the specification. The investigation is closed, a website publication notice has been issued and a six-month review is due in September 2026.
Case 010239 – Independent Motor Trade Factors Association. Ad Tec 48 5W-30 PCEO and its claim against the Stellantis specification 9.55535/03. Investigation concluded. Product compliant following investigation. The toll blender has agreed to amend the product labels and Technical Data Sheet to version 1 of the Stellantis specification FW 9.55535/03 published in July 2023 which is still a valid claim until July 2026. Six-month review due 25th September 2026.
Case 010238 – PCEO 5W-30. Anonymous, Compliant, Publication issued. Archived. The case which will not be subject to a six-month review as there is no case to answer.
Case 010237 – PCEO 5W-30. Under Investigation. The complaint concerns a claim against the Stellantis specification FPW9.55535/03. Evidence has been provided by the Lubricant Marketer and is being assessed by the Technical Review panel. The letter from the technology supplier implies that the technology met the requirements of the July 2023 version of the specification. As Stellantis FPW9.55535/03 was updated in June 2024 VLS has asked if an extension on the original formulation was given by the OEM beyond the usual six-month period to allow for a claim to be made against the revised specification.
Case 010236 – Product Compliant Following Investigation – Case Resolved. MANNOL Energy Formula PSA 5W-30 7703. The complaint concerns a claim against the Stellantis specification FPW9.55535/03. In response SCT Vertriebs GmbH advised that the Stellantis FPW9.55535/03 claim on the product has been removed. An updated Technical Data Sheet and updated product label has been provided. The website description for the product has also been updated. VLS is content to close the investigation subject to a six-month review in June 2026, in line with its stated process.
Case 010235 – Rapid Group Ltd. Pro + Power Ultra 5W0-230 PCEO. Investigation concluded. Product compliant following investigation. The complaint concerns a claim against the Stellantis specification FPW9.55535/03. The marketer’s toll blender has agreed to amend the product labels and Technical Data Sheet to version 1 of the Stellantis specification FW 9.55535/03 published in July 2023 which is still a valid claim until July 2026. Six-month review due September 2026.
Case 010234 – Case archived.
Case 010233 – Granville Oil & Chemical Ltd. Hypalube FS-ST 5W-30 PCEO. Investigation concluded. Product compliant following investigation. The complaint concerns the product’s claim against the Stellantis specification FPW9.55535/03. The marketer has agreed to amend the product labels and Technical Data Sheet to version 1 of the Stellantis specification FW 9.55535/03 published in July 2023 which is still a valid claim until July 2026. Six-month review due September 2026.
Case 010228 – 5W-30. Complaint. Anonymous. Investigation complete. Compliant. Concerns the compliance of the product against SAE J300 Low Temperature Pumping Viscosity requirements. The Lubricant Marketer has provided evidence that the product is compliant which has been accepted by the Technical Review Panel. A six-month review of the case was conducted in March 2026. The Lubricant Marketer provided some test results from an ISO accredited third party laboratory showing the product was in compliance at the six-month stage. These results were accepted by the TRP and the investigation, and the case has been closed. A bulletin has been issued and the case will be archived on the 5th July 2026.
Case 010227 – Product Compliant Following Investigation – Case Resolved. Silverhook 0W-20 Fuel Efficient. The case concerned compliance with the following market standards. SAE J300 Low Temperature Pumping Viscosity and the phosphorous requirements to meet ACEA C5 & C6. Silverhook have advised that the formulation has been amended. Six-month review underway. A new sample of the product has been procured and sent for testing. The test results are with the TRP for determination.
Case 010226 – Product Compliant Following Investigation – Case Resolved. Silverhook Ultra V 0W-30 PCEO. Investigation closed in October 2025 and six-month review due May 2026. A six-month review is underway.
Case 010225 – PCEO 5W-30. Complaint. Under investigation. Concerns the compliance of the performance claims VW 504.00/507.00, MB 229.31, 229.51, 229.52 against the HTHS test limits, the compliance of the claim against the Fiat specification 9.55535-S2 and the claim against ACEA C2. The test results have been reviewed by the Technical Review Panel. The Lubricant Marketer has responded to the issues raised and revised the claims on the product, VLS is awaiting further information from them before closing the investigation. A reminder has been sent to the Lubricant Marketer on the 11th March 2026 and no reply received at the time of going to press.
Case 010206 – Product Not Compliant Following Investigation – Case Not Resolved. Lubrex Nano Velocity GTR 5W-30. The case concerns the product’s compliance for Phosphorous and HTHS against an ACEA C3-16 claim, HTHS against a VW 504 00/507 00 and Porsche C30 claim, and Noack Volatility against a MB 299.51 claim on a 5W-30 PCEO. A sample of the product has been sourced, tested, and found to be non-compliant by the Technical Review Panel. VLS has written to the Lubricant Marketer setting out the non-compliance issues, who responded. The Lubricant Marketer is disputing the test results and findings of VLS. A new sample of the product is being retested for HTHS and Noack through accredited laboratories. A sample of the product has been sourced and was sent to the test house on the 16th May and mislaid, a second sample has been sent on the 24th July and has arrived for testing on the 25th July. The results have been communicated to the Lubricant Marketer and their response prompted a formulation optimisation, improved QC, QA and traceability processes. A six-month review of the case has begun, samples procured for testing pre date the investigation and the marketer has stated that new stock has not been released on the market and is in the process of being updated and reformulated.
To view the case outcomes, visit http://ukla-vls.org.uk/case-outcomes/
VLS can only investigate complaints made against products available on open sale in the UK. For case submission guidance visit https://ukla-vls.org.uk/publications/
VLS marketing claims guidance has been updated, can be found at https://ukla-vls.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/UKLA-VLS-Specifications-and-Marketing-Claims-Guidance-Feb-2026-Update-March-10-CLEAN.pdf
VLS Assured Advice from our Primary Authority partner Bucks & Surrey Trading Standards for both the ACEA Light and Heavy Duty engine oil sequences, has been updated and can be found at https://ukla-vls.org.uk/advice/
UK Industry News
UK Government Department for Transport Passengers one step closer to booking taxi and bus-style self-driving vehicles.
HM Treasury. Costs lower for millions of drivers as government extends 5p fuel duty cut until the end of year. Hauliers get a 12-month road tax holiday saving up to £912 per vehicle, red diesel slashed to its lowest rate in over 20 years until the end of the year.
Department for Business & Trade. Government and Wayve sign partnership to accelerate Britain’s self-driving future.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Vehicle production steadies but sector faces rising trade protectionism.
AM Online. UK car industry faces ‘existential risk’ without ZEV review.
National Franchised Dealers Association NFDA calls on Government to remove EV Vehicle Excise Duty.
RAC Foundation: analysis leads to tax-free mileage rate rise for using own car for work.
International Industry News
ACEA: Industry and workers call for urgent action to safeguard Europe’s commercial vehicle sector.
Autonews Europe. Automated parking clears regulatory hurdle, but automakers show limited momentum.
Media Editorial
Professional Motor Mechanic, April 2026. VLS reveals investigations update.
Commercial Vehicle Workshop, April 2026. ICE extension. VLS Chairman Darren Frogson explains how the cv parc will change over the next decade.
Autoscene, April 2026. Engine oil withdrawn from sale following VLS Stellantis Specification investigation.
F&L Asia, April 2026. Smith & Allan pauses sale of PCMO following VLS investigation.
LubesNGreases, April 2026. Smith & Allan pauses sale of PCMO following VLS investigation.
Lube Media, April 2026. Engine oil withdrawn from sale following VLS Stellantis Specification investigation.
Lube magazine, April 2026. Case bulletin for VLS 010234 on page 63.
Garage Talk Online, April 2026. Engine oil withdrawn from sale following VLS investigation.
CVW Online, April 2026. How the cv parc will change with ICE ban plans.
AutoRepair Focus, April 2026. Momentum pauses sale of Stellantis wet belt specification oil.
As a member, we would encourage you to disseminate the materials and content generated by VLS through your own communication channels.
Media Advertising
Commercial Vehicle Workshop magazine. May 2026. Editorial mention on page 42 on the ICE ban/extension/special report.
Transport Engineer Online, May 2026. VLS reports CV cases on the rise.
UK LinkedIn. Nicola St Clair Editor and Co-Owner Autotechnician mentions her attendance at the VLS Press Lunch in May.
LubesNGreases Online, May 2026. VLS Updates marketing claims guidance.
CAT, May 2026. Garages urged to check oil amid surge in vehicle component failure.
Garage Talk Online, May 2026. VLS updates marketing claims guidance to uphold standards and protect the end user.
Lube magazine, June 2026. VLS hosts press event to provide insight into the increasing complexities of engine oil. Page 58. Bulletins published for cases 010212, 010221, and 010228 on pages 56-57.
Events
UK Garage and Bodyshop event, NEC Birmingham, 3-4 June 2026.
Automechanika, NEC Birmingham, June 2027.
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Darren Frogson
Chairman
