Mannol Brake Fluid DOT 4 3002 failed a second round of tests to determine if it meets critical performance standards required for safe vehicle operation. Such performance shortcomings pose severe safety risks, including injury or death, according to Verification of Lubricant Standards, a product compliance organization set up by the United Kingdom Lubricants Association.
A sample acquired by VLS failed all three tests following the original complaint in 2024. VLS shared the results with the product’s exclusive U.K. distributor Lubriage Ltd, trading as Mannol, and invited them to respond and suggest steps to reach compliance.
VLS referred the case to Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards – its primary authority partner – and began a six-month review, giving Lubriage time to rectify the issue. Despite giving verbal assurances that the product had been withdrawn from the market, Lubriage has yet to send written confirmation it has been recalled or quarantined.
“We want to ensure we have the highest standards in Europe for lubricant manufacture, blending and marketing,” said David Wright, company Secretary of VLS and director-general of United Kingdom Lubricants Association. “We have set our course for stronger industry self-regulation.”
The original complainant found that the material samples tested failed to meet the performance specifications outlined in US FMVSS 116 DOT 4.
VLS found six other Mannol products failed to fulfill claims or meet specifications after testing, including Mannol Central Hydraulic Fluid 8990, which did not comply with any performance claims.
Claims of formal approval against Scania LDF-4 for its Mannol TS-23 UHPD 5W-30 and against Scania LDF-5 for Mannol TS-24 UHPD 5W20 had to be withdrawn since Scania does not give out formal approvals, only letters of recognition. Mannol also had to remove all OEM claims against its Multi WB 101 universal tractor transmission oil.
Fanfaro MAX 6 75W-90 GL-5 gear oil, produced by Mannol, failed performance tests and the sample was also beyond its shelf life. After VLS referred the case to the Union of the European Lubricant Industry, Mannol had to remove all original equipment manufacturer claims from its Mannol O.E.M. 5W-30 fully synthetic engine oil.