Non-compliant brake fluid warning after stock still available

A second safety warning has been issued for a non-compliant brake fluid that could impact stopping distances and degrade braking systems.

The warning was issued by the Verification of Lubricant Specifications (VLS) after stock of Mannol Brake Fluid DOT 4 3002 was found to be still available and still non-compliant.

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, trading as Mannol UK and Ireland, 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 is responsible for claims made in respect of Mannol Brake Fluid DOT 4 3002 and its compliance with market standards.

Lubriage advised VLS that they had 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However VLS said it did not see any evidence of the product being quarantined or withdrawn from the relevant distributors or any attempt to contact end users who might have purchased the product through their distributors to recall it at the time. 

It, therefore, escalated the case to Bucks and Surrey Trading Standards, as a consumer product safety issue, who passed the case to West Northamptonshire Trading Standards, which is the home authority of Lubriage.

VLS recently undertook a six-month review of the case and procured and tested a new product sample. This new sample was also found to be non-compliant against the DOT 4 specification performance claim, a worrying outcome for fleet service, maintenance and repair (SMR).   

Based on the results obtained, the potential consequences of using the product could be increased stopping distance, accelerated wear, and braking system degradation, according to an industry expert, which could cause risk to personal injury, accident or even risk loss of life. 

Consequently, the case will be raised again with Bucks and Surrey Trading Standards and another safety warning issued.

David Wright, VLS's company secretary, said: “The six-month review sample has a date of manufacture of 25th May 2024, which is after the date when we advised them of the issue. 

“We are, therefore, gravely concerned that sufficient action has not been taken to protect driver safety.

“We urge motor factors, mechanics and end users alike to avoid using the product as it could put drivers at risk of personal injury, accident or even risk loss of life.”

You can keep up to date with VLS investigations at their website.