Buying motor oil is a very serious matter. According to the statistics of the world’s leading companies such as Mobil1, Castrol, Shell, etc., about 50% of motor oils are faked. Moreover, it is stupid to look for some differences in the oil canister: the shadow manufacturer has long learned to fake both original canisters and labels and holograms, etc., so even the expert himself will not be able to distinguish the original from the non-original. Why do they sell fake oil? Everything is very simple – to get the maximum profit. Therefore, fakes are also classified:
- The cheapest fakes are the so-called “refined oils”. Such oils are purified specially and driven through various centrifuges and other cleaning methods. After such procedures, the oil becomes clear and very similar to new engine oil, however, this is not the case. Although this oil is clean, it has already lost its basic properties. If you pour such oil into a car, it will not be very good for your engine. As a rule, cleaned motor oil is poured into canisters of the most expensive brands and sold at the price of branded oils.
- The second most common fake on the market is an oil change. Everything is very simple here. The cheapest motor oil is poured into a canister with branded motor oil and then sold as branded. It is not possible to distinguish such oil by colour and smell, which is what shadow manufacturers use.
Where is it better to buy motor oil?
- Dealerships. Many brands have or collaborate with stores that sell their branded oils. There are all certificates confirming their origin;
- Internet stores of official dealers. Just like ordinary stores, they only sell goods via the Internet, with the delivery to almost any city;
- Large retail chains, even if not specialized automotive ones. Such networks work directly with the manufacturer and buy original oils, so the percentage of fakes is minimal, and there are also all certificates.
Meanwhile, you should definitely avoid the following marketplaces:
- Markets. After all, sometimes the sellers themselves buy these oils in incomprehensible warehouses, and there may be the largest percentage of fakes;
- Small stores where they sell everything at once;
- Small service stations should also not be in your head: oils come from unknown places, and the main thing is to get the maximum profit;
You must always remember about the certificates confirming the origin. Now the manufacturer is trying to issue such certificates directly to the sellers, that is, if you buy at Auchan, then such a certificate is given to Auchan. Good luck!