Skoda forced to update its advice on recommended Engine Oil specifications

The United Kingdom Lubricants Association (UKLA), the body who acts as the voice of the UK lubricants industry, has recently released a bulletin following the misleading wording in Skoda’s latest owners’ manuals relating to recommending lubricants.

Skoda’s service manual omission raised many issues, including that the owner of these vehicles would be obliged to buy only the lubricant supplied by the car manufacturer, as well as having it changed at specific garages as well. This reduces the choice for the consumer, excludes independent garages from maintaining these vehicles, and blocks the access of competing products on the market.

The (UEIL) wrote to Skoda highlighting these issues, and following the concerns being escalated to the Centre of Protection against Unfair Competition in Germany, Skoda reverted to the correct procedure.

Skoda have committed itself to using the correct message and has removed the reference to consumers having to use a ‘specialist garage’ in all communications by August 2021, and so the case is now considered closed.

This outcome is important as it highlights the important work of the UEIL in raising and maintaining standards within the industry. They play a leading role in being the trusted association, partner and reference point on all technical issues linked to the lubricants industry and represent and defend the interests of independent lubricant operators across Europe ensuring free and timely access to technical information is always achieved.

Witham Group meets the requirements of Skoda motor cars and continually appraises their product range, working with the largest and most respected global technology providers, to ensure the correct Qualube lubricant for the correct application is achieved at all times.

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