Brake fluid safety warning as VLS escalates investigation to Trading Standards
Verification of Lubricant Specifications (VLS) has issued a safety warning and escalated case VLS 010200, a complaint regarding Mannol Brake Fluid DOT 4 3002, to Trading Standards.
In December 2023, VLS received a complaint claiming that the product failed in critical performance areas required for safe brake operation.
VLS independently procured a sample of the product within the UK and completed its own independent testing in which the product failed to meet specification limits stated in the US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 116 DOT 4.
VLS asked Lubriage Ltd, trading as Mannol UK, to comment on the test results and confirm the steps it would take as a result of them. As the product's distributor in the UK, Lubriage Ltd is responsible for claims made in respect of Mannol Brake Fluid DOT 4 3002 and its compliance with market standards.
VLS understands that Lubriage Ltd has stopped selling the product in the UK marketplace and asked distributors to quarantine the affected batch number until further notice and not resell it. However, VLS has not seen any evidence of the product being quarantined or withdrawn from the relevant distributors or any attempt to contact end users who might have purchased the product through their distributors to recall it. VLS has, therefore, escalated the case to its Primary Authority partner, Bucks & Surrey Trading Standards, as a consumer product safety issue.
David Wright, VLS's Company Secretary, said, “We urge motor factors, mechanics and end users alike to check for the affected batch number MD46_PEA-230526. Whilst we appreciate that Mannol has taken steps to stop supplying the product, any remaining stock on shelves and in vehicles could pose a safety risk. Sufficient action must be taken to protect driver safety.”
Verification of Lubricant Specifications is an independent organisation providing a credible and trusted means to verify lubricant specifications, bring transparency to the lubricant marketplace and protect and educate end users.
You can keep up to date with VLS investigations at their website: https://ukla-vls.org.uk/.