A worrying disconnect is emerging between manufacturer recommendations and real-world driver behaviour when it comes to engine oil maintenance. New research, commissioned by Castrol, suggests that many motorists are delaying essential oil level checks.
According to the nationwide survey, 59 per cent of car owners last checked their vehicle’s oil level up to three months ago, while a further 31 per cent left it for four months or longer.
Castrol recommends that drivers check their engine oil at least once every 1,000 miles, and always before a long trip. Ensuring a vehicle’s oil level is sufficient helps to safeguard an engine’s vital components, including the valvetrain, timing chain, pistons and bearings from damage and wear.
When asked: ‘How often is the oil level of your car checked?’, only 24 per cent of drivers said ‘at least once a month’, compared to 26 per cent ‘once every three months’, 19 per cent ‘once every six months’, and 16 per cent ‘at least once a year’.
Older drivers are most likely to leave a longer period between checks, with 22 per cent of those 65 or older saying the oil level is checked just once per year. Those in London are most likely to conduct a regular check of their vehicle’s oil level, with 49 per cent saying they do so at least once per month, compared to just 9 per cent of those in the South West.
A clear majority (80 per cent) of car owners say they know how to check the oil level in their current car, although that proportion is lower among women (70 per cent) than men (92 per cent). 6 per cent of all car owners admit to having never checked the oil level on a car.
The survey also found that most respondents (79 per cent) would feel confident in judging how much oil to put in their own car engine if the indicated oil level was low. However, this proportion is also much higher among men (88 per cent) than women (68 per cent).
While many modern cars have oil level sensors that indicate when the levels become dangerously low, early stages of wear and component damage could already be happening by the time the driver is alerted.
How workshops can lend a helping hand
For workshops, this reinforces the importance of proactive maintenance messaging rather than reactive fixes. This is especially important as the survey revealed that many drivers preferred to leave essential oil checks to others.
When asked, ‘Who typically manually checks the oil level in your car’s engine?’, the largest proportion of car owners (64 per cent) check it themselves, compared to those who ask a partner or spouse (16 per cent), or a vehicle workshop (15 per cent). A far greater proportion of men check the oil level themselves (79 per cent) than women (44 per cent). While many check the oil level on their own car, the survey found that over a third (34 per cent) would prefer their technician or mechanic to do so.
This opens the door to positioning oil checks in several ways. Workshops can present oil checks as a complimentary service that helps drive customer footfall and repeat visits, or an entry point into a broader vehicle health inspection, allowing technicians to identify potential issues early. In addition, oil checks can naturally lead to upsell opportunities, including oil and filter changes or further maintenance work identified during the inspection. Simple oil inspections can help build trust, particularly among less confident customers.
There is also scope for workshops to play a more active educational role. Workshops can explain how often oil levels should be checked, helping customers understand appropriate service intervals, as well as highlighting the importance of using manufacturer-approved lubricants to ensure optimal engine performance and longevity. Bridging the knowledge gap not only improves customer outcomes but also strengthens long-term loyalty.
Delayed oil checks are not just a driver habit issue, but also represent a growing maintenance blind spot. For workshops, by taking a more proactive stance on oil checks, they can protect engines, support customers and unlock new business opportunities in the process.
