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Half of Iran's Motor Oil Market is Dominated by Counterfeit Products

Feb 2, 2026 February 2, 2026 2 min read 📰 Radio Farda
📋 Key Takeaway

Abbas Samavati, head of the Union of Tire, Brake Oil, and Filter Sellers, revealed that a significant portion of motor oil in Iran is counterfeit, made from burnt oil. Despite reports to regulatory bodies, little action has been taken against illegal sellers, leading to widespread consumer exposure to harmful products. This situation poses serious risks to vehicle safety and highlights regulatory failures.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The prevalence of counterfeit motor oil in Iran highlights significant regulatory failures that threaten consumer safety.

👥 Key Players

Abbas Samavati MENTIONED
Head of the Union of Tire, Brake Oil, and Filter Sellers
"He represents the interests of sellers and is highlighting significant issues in the oil market that affect vehicle safety."
IRNA MENTIONED
Iranian state news agency
"As a state media outlet, it plays a role in disseminating information about regulatory failures and public safety concerns."
Regulatory organizations MENTIONED
Government bodies responsible for market oversight
"Their effectiveness (or lack thereof) directly impacts consumer safety and market integrity."

📰 What Happened

Abbas Samavati revealed that half of Iran's motor oil market is dominated by counterfeit products made from burnt oil. Despite repeated reports to regulatory bodies, little has been done to address the issue, leaving consumers at risk.

  • Counterfeit motor oil is made from burnt oil and is sold in attractive packaging.
  • Regulatory bodies have failed to take significant action against illegal sellers.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: This situation poses serious risks to vehicle safety and reflects broader regulatory failures that undermine public trust.
🌍 Regional: If left unaddressed, it could lead to increased vehicle accidents, impacting regional trade and safety standards.
🌐 International: Internationally, it raises concerns about Iran's regulatory environment and the quality of products exported from the country.

📚 Background

Iran's oil market has been plagued by issues of quality and regulation, with counterfeit products posing risks to consumers and the economy.

Consumer safety Regulatory oversight in Iran
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 70%
As a state media outlet, IRNA may reflect government perspectives, but it also provides critical insights into domestic issues.

The head of the Union of Tire, Brake Oil, and Filter Sellers states that the majority of brake oil and motor oil available in the Iranian market is made from 'burnt oil from vehicles.' Abbas Samavati, the head of the union, said in an interview with the IRNA news agency on Tuesday, December 3, that 'many units do not know that the oil they purchased is counterfeit, and on the other hand, regulatory organizations cannot inspect all businesses, so people are always faced with counterfeit oils.' Regarding why illegal sellers have not been identified or dealt with, he stated, 'Lists of offenders have been repeatedly submitted to the support and standards organizations. In this regard, either no action has been taken by the officials in this sector, or the fines have been so insignificant that they have no deterrent policy.' Mr. Samavati added, 'For this reason, announcing their names (of counterfeit product sellers) only wastes our time and creates bitterness.' The head of the union said, 'Oil should be examined at the source (place of production) rather than officials wanting to inspect and fine the business units.' Abbas Samavati also mentioned, 'So far, we have introduced 10 brands to regulatory organizations that use burnt oil, but no follow-up has been made.' The IRNA report indicates that producers buy burnt oil and change its appearance to sell their products in non-standard packaging with attractive designs and standard marks at high prices, and business units cannot identify them. According to the report, these oils affect the gearbox, differential, and brakes of vehicles, and over time, the vehicle faces serious damage. Abbas Samavati stated, 'Non-standard oils are produced in Karaj, Eshtehard, and Garmsar, and regulatory organizations say that production centers are not within our protective jurisdiction.'

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 90%

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