UK drivers have already felt the sting at the pumps, but there’s another cost quietly creeping up behind the scenes: engine oil.
Since the Iran conflict began in February, global oil prices have spiked sharply. A barrel of Brent crude jumped from around $63 (£46) pre-war to highs of $120 (£88), and while it’s settled closer to $100 (£73), the impact is still filtering through.
That’s bad news not just for fuel prices, but for routine car maintenance too.
Why engine oil costs are rising
While there’s no official benchmark for engine oil pricing, garages across the UK are reporting significant increases.
One Hampshire-based garage revealed that a 200-litre barrel of oil has risen from £350 to £600, a jump of over 70%.
And that’s just the trade price.
“At the moment we’re absorbing the extra cost, but eventually we will have to raise our prices to customers,” the garage manager explained.
Another garage owner echoed the same issue, highlighting how price hikes are hitting across all quantities, from single litres to bulk orders.
"We can’t afford to take the hit so we’ve had to raise our prices as well. However, it’s a balancing act between staying in profit but still attracting customers.”
Supply disruptions add more pressure
It’s not just prices causing headaches; supply issues are also starting to bite.
At the end of March, Trade Parts Specialists (TPS), part of Volkswagen Group, temporarily paused supplies of its Quantum and Genuine oil ranges to check supply chain stability.
Although supplies resumed shortly after, the disruption caused real challenges for independent garages.
One VW specialist described the situation as “very disruptive,” forcing them to source oil wherever they could.
What this means for your car servicing costs
The reality is simple: higher oil prices + supply disruptions = rising servicing costs.
For now, some garages are holding prices steady, but that won’t last forever. As stock costs increase, those rises will inevitably be passed on to drivers.
Should you book your service now?
If your car is due a service soon, it might be worth acting sooner rather than later.
As one garage owner put it:
“My advice to anyone whose car is due a service in the next couple of months is have it done now, before garages have to raise their prices and supplies of quality oils are interrupted.”
Delaying could mean paying more in the coming months, especially if oil prices remain volatile.