Check your oil – or lose your warranty

• 50% of new cars need manufacturer oil
• Warranty can be affected if not used
• Incorrect oil can damage converter/particulate filter

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More than 50% of new cars now require manufacturer-specific oil, according to car care company Comma, and failure to use the correct oil could invalidate your car's warranty.

Comma produces an Application Guide for more than 8000 garage workshops, detailing what oil should be used in every car and, for the first time, more than half of the models in the guide require manufacturer-specific oil.

Volkswagen (VW, Audi, Skoda and Seat) and General Motors (Vauxhall and Saab) now have warranties stating that use of oil not specified by the manufacturer can nullify the cover provided by the warranty.

Check your handbook
Failure to use the correct oil can cause damage to your car's catalytic converter or diesel particulate filter so check your handbook and service schedule carefully to see what your car needs.

However even if you do need to use manufacturer-specific oil, you don't need to use the oil supplied by your dealership – at a premium - when servicing your car. You can still buy your own approved oil and ask your garage to use it when your car is serviced.